There’s good news and there’s bad news when it comes to thefts from cars on the West Shore.
RCMP say the good news is theft from vehicle statistics for July 2012 are only up slightly this year, with 52 reported, compared to around 40 the year before. The bad news is there are still more than 500 thefts from vehicles on the West Shore every year.
The best news, say RCMP, is most thefts are preventable.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize that someone who is desperate for cash will smash the window on a car or pop a lock for the loose change you keep in plain sight for parking,” Const. Brian Lucas said. “While laptops, purses, wallets, cell phones, tools and GPS units are some of the most popular items taken, the fact is (thieves) will break into your car for a couple of CDs.”
By not leaving anything of any value in your car you greatly reduce your chance of getting broken into.
Lucas and West Shore RCMP auxiliary constables have been conducting “Lock It or Lose It” campaigns in parks, parking lots and community centres on the West Shore, educating the public about the importance of locking vehicles and making sure nothing of any value is left inside, even for a short period of time.
Lucas is also spending time this summer working on the West Shore RCMP’s bike patrol unit, checking parks, parking lots and areas that have been targeted in the past.
“We hope that a more visible presence and increased public awareness will have an affect in reducing the number of files of this nature that we deal with,” Lucas said. “But the bottom line is a little more common sense in locking your vehicle and leaving nothing in sight would go a long way toward eliminating this type of crime.”
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