18

Jul
2012

Prevent Thefts from Auto

July 18th, 2012 | by admin admin | in Security Advice |    0   

On July 10, North Vancouver RCMP arrested a theft-from-auto suspect in Stanley Park. The 47-year-old Vancouver man has a long history of breaking into cars. He had been targeting vehicles with out-of-town license plates and electronics, such as GPS devices, laptops and cameras.

Two days earlier, West Vancouver Police had also arrested a man suspected of several thefts from vehicles on the North Shore.

Vancouver Police are also warning drivers about a spike in thefts from vehicles.

It’s no surprise that thieves target tourist locations, especially in the summer. That’s why the North Vancouver Police recruited youth volunteers to educate visitors at Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain and other local attractions this summer.

How do you avoid becoming a victim? The Prince George RCMP has developed some tips for preventing such thefts from your vehicle, at home or on the road:

• Close windows and lock doors. Take your possessions with you. Leave NOTHING in your vehicle.
• Invest in a good anti-theft device, particularly a passive immobilizer. Use a steering wheel lock every time you park your vehicle.
• Always wait for an automatic gate to close behind you when entering or leaving a controlled parking area.
• Do not keep spare keys to your vehicle in the vehicle. Police see this happen all the time. What would have been the theft of some change in the ashtray, turns into a theft of a vehicle.
• If you see any suspicious persons or activities near a vehicle, call the police immediately. Let the police determine if it’s a crime in progress.
• Park in open, visible areas. Avoid parking behind fences and hedges.
• At home, light your driveway at night. Elsewhere, park in well lit areas near pedestrian traffic.
• Engrave your stereo and other on-board valuables with your driver’s license number. This allows any officer that locates your stolen items to seize them and arrest the person in possession of them.

As Inspector Yeo of the VPD’s traffic section points out, “If you leave things in your car, thieves won’t.”

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, we encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.