DON’T MAKE IT EASY FOR THIEVES TO RUIN YOUR CHRISTMAS
As we begin to enter the holiday season, many automobile owners will increasingly find themselves frequenting parking lots as they canvas local retailers for that perfect gift for a loved one.
However, this is also a time of year when the potential thief has eyes on motorists who leave parcels and packages in plain sight, turning themselves into easy targets.
A campaign launched last year by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), the Province of British Columbia and ICBC, encourages drivers to protect themselves with the slogan, Check Your Doors Before They Do. This campaign is just as true today and a good reminder for the holiday season.
According to ICBC, there was a 4.2 per cent increase in auto theft across British Columbia with 58,000 vehicles being broken into in 2018.
Theft of items is a mostly preventable crime and there are some steps you can take to stop thieves from breaking into your car. Though some may be obvious, it is worth keeping in mind.
While criminals often target vehicles for smartphones, personal electronics, sunglasses, and cash, they are especially targeting vehicles that leave any holiday items in sight. They also may be looking for items such as garage door openers and any personal items/documents that may make you a target for theft further down the road.
The best way to combat these threats is to always make sure to remove any valuables or personal items in your vehicles and never leave anything in plain sight that may make your vehicle an easy target.
In situations where you may be forced to park your vehicle in a less than ideal location, take the garage remote with you and make a copy of your vehicle registration and black out your home address in the copy you keep in your glove compartment. Keep the original with your address in a safe place at home. Google Maps has also added a handy “remember my parking location” feature.
ICBC recommends the 9 p.m. routine, which encourages vehicle owners to check on their vehicle each night at 9 p.m. to
ensure it is safe and secure and all measures have been made to avoid being an auto crime victim.
To prevent heartbreak this holiday season – and in the future – it’s important to be diligent and remember these easy steps, so you aren’t an easy target.
For the latest information on car careers in B.C.’s automotive industry, visit carsandjobs.com.
Blair Qualey is president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at bqualey@newcardealers.ca