For car thieves in Canada, stealing and reselling cars for their parts can be an especially lucrative business. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, automotive thefts cost Canadians almost $1 billion every year. On average, one car is stolen every minute in Canada, and an experienced thief can steal a car in as fast as 30 seconds.
For British Columbia, auto theft and theft from autos are issues the RCMP are tackling, with a unit created to specifically handle these cases. Drivers in B.C. can combat thieves by educating themselves and staying alert.
According to the most up-to-date numbers from Statistics Canada, there were a total of 78,710 motor vehicle thefts in 2016. In British Columbia alone, there were 14,006 incidents reported for last year, a six per cent decrease from the previous year. This decrease in car theft numbers can largely be attributed to the success of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) and their BaitCar program.
But while the number of auto theft incidents has been decreasing, the reality is that the number is still quite high. For drivers looking to protect their investment, it’s important to keep in mind that older vehicles are much easier targets than newer models because they lack electronic engine immobilizers. If your vehicle is a model older than 2007, it’s a good idea to invest in an anti-theft system.
Car thieves are opportunists, so be vigilant about how and where you leave your car. Park in well-lit areas close to security cameras and take your valuables with you.
Be wary of not just auto theft, but thefts from autos as well. Some of the most common items to be stolen out of vehicles are smart phones and other electronics such as laptops and tablets, but thieves will also break in if they can see spare change, empty pop bottles, umbrellas or other relatively inexpensive items. It goes without saying that the best place for valuables if you have to leave them in your car is to keep them in your trunk. Police also report more auto theft related to people leaving their vehicles unlocked and running during winter months – don’t leave your car unattended while it’s warming up.
Never leave your spare car key hidden anywhere in your vehicle and be aware that crooks will sometimes steal garage door remotes and your address off your vehicle registration paperwork. In order to protect yourself never place your remote in plain sight in your car, instead, place it in a place out of view. In situations when you are leaving your car in a less-than-ideal place for safety, take the remote with you. Also, make a copy of your vehicle registration and black out your home address, be sure to keep that in your glove compartment. Keep the original with your address in a safe place back at home.
Remember it pays to be vigilant as many thefts are crimes of opportunity. Remember to park smart and never leave any valuables in your vehicles, especially in plain sight.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
