Auto theft involving keys on the rise
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- Published on Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Article submitted by Neepawa COPP
The Neepawa Press
On the weekend of Oct 23-25, Manitoba Public Insurance sponsored the annual Citizens on Patrol conference in Winnipeg.
Four members of the Neepawa COP Program attended several information sharing seminars to hear messages from the policing communities, Manitoba Public Insurance and share information with the members of the provinces 59 COPP organizations.
The message from the policing agencies, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Winnipeg and Brandon Police Services was that the volunteer hours put in by COPP members are greatly appreciated in the community policing strategy. The additional “eyes and ears” of the members on patrol have resulted in investigations of many criminal activities that otherwise would have been difficult for the patrolling police officers to observe.
Manitoba Public Insurance reported on the rise of auto thefts in the past year. In the 400 vehicles reported stolen this past spring, 75 per cent involved the use of keys left in vehicles, representing an 11 per cent increase in key-related thefts compared to the spring of 2014.
Thanks to a number of highly successful anti-theft initiatives implemented by Manitoba Public Insurance, such as the installation of electronic immobilizers into older vehicles that were the main targets of the auto thieves, the number of auto thefts over the last decade has dropped off by 85 per cent. But now the emphasis must be directed to the auto owners themselves.
The goal of the Manitoba Public Insurance and CAA Manitoba is to raise public awareness about protecting vehicle keys from being left inside unattended vehicles, making theft very easy for those who steal vehicles for “joy rides”. At the conference, MPI and CAA have partnered with members of the Citizens on Patrol Program across Manitoba.
Over the next few months, COPP members will be holding information sessions in their respective communities to remind vehicle owners about the importance of safeguarding vehicle keys. The Neepawa COP Program members will be patrolling the community and visually checking parked vehicles, especially those that are left running. When these are observed, a reminder note will be placed under the wiper blade. Vehicles will not be entered by COPP patrollers.
During the colder winter months, drivers often start their vehicles to warm up. The keys are left in the ignition and the car may be locked. But it only takes seconds for a thief to smash a window, unlock the door and drive away. Keys are left inside the vehicle ignition, console or any number of “hiding places” and the car doors are left unlocked. Thieves cruise the streets, parking lots and even private driveways and unlocked garages “car hopping” for these opportunities.
Only vehicles with remote starters are safe to start to warm up. They cannot be driven away as the built-in ignition immobilizer will cut the engine. Leaving vehicles in well lit parking areas and never leaving valuables (wallets/purses, cell phones, computers, money, parcels, etc.) inside your vehicle is a deterrent for a cruising thief. Also using a club is recommended by both MPI and CAA.
Not only is the theft of a vehicle an inconvenience for the owner, it will probably be involved as an insurance claim, a cost to every car owner’s policy. It is typically driven dangerously and potentially endangering the lives of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Every vehicle owner can prevent auto thefts by simply keeping the keys in your pocket or purse and locking your car when leaving it parked.
