Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Summer can be a time to take in the sights and enjoy a relaxed pace, but the opportunity to do that is also taken advantage of by people who find easy ways to steal vehicles or possessions inside them.
Alberta RCMP 2019 statistics show August, July and October were the top three months for vehicle thefts. Close to 10,000 vehicles were reported stolen last year and trucks were the most commonly stolen vehicle.
Additionally, August, July and September were the top three months for thefts from vehicles. There were over 12,200 reported thefts from a motor vehicle last year.
In Jasper, between January and December last year, there were nine thefts of motor vehicles.
"It's a crime of opportunity. People breaking into vehicles, they see a camera on the seat of a car, the vehicle is unattended,” said Sergeant Rick Bidaisee, Jasper RCMP Detachment Commander.
Other tempting items include purses, shopping bags and sunglasses. RCMP recommend parking your vehicle in sight or in a well-lit area, and use a steering wheel lock.
"Remove the temptation - high end electronic devices, cell phones [for example]," Bidaisee said.
"Some of what we have is people rummaging through [vehicles], money is left in sight. Secure your vehicle, lock your doors, don't leave the keys."
Bidaisee noted some people check doors of vehicles.
"They're looking for key fobs left in the vehicle," he said. "Recently, we had calls for services for the same criminality."
It's important to contact the RCMP if such incidents happen rather than just chalking it up to something that happened, he said.
"We like people to report suspicious activity,” said Bidaisee.
“We're working with the community, taking a community approach."
Steps for protecting your vehicle can be as simple as closing the windows and removing the keys when you leave. Here are more tips for preventing thefts:
- Lock the doors.
- Remove valuables from vehicle including purses, shopping bags, change, electronics and sunglasses.
- Remove garage door opener.
- Park your vehicle in sight or in a well-lit area.
- Use a steering wheel lock.
- Lock your garage.
- Disable power to the garage door if you're leaving for an extended period of time
This August the RCMP is using #AutoSafety to provide information on how to keep your vehicles safe this summer. Watch Facebook (@RCMPinAlberta) and Twitter (@RCMPAlberta) feeds for tips and reminders to help reduce thefts of, and thefts from, vehicles this summer.
If you see something suspicious, report it to your local police service. You can reach the Jasper detachment at (780) 852-4421. If you see a crime in progress, call 911.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
