Police specializing in auto crime were in 91原创 early in April to talk about some of the most-wanted car thieves in the province, as well as to remind people how to keep their cars, and the stuff inside them, safe.
The Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) has been putting out its lists of prolific offenders for years. Enforcement is one of the three pillars of bringing car thefts down.
When B.C. began using bait cars, car thefts plunged. Surrey had been the car theft capital of North America, but thieves kept grabbing cars equipped with cameras and engine-shut offs, leading to them being criminally charged.
But enforcement alone is never enough. Police can't be everywhere.
The second pillar has been technology. We've come a long way from blaring car alarms and steering wheel locks (although IMPACT representatives say the steering wheel locks still aren't a bad idea).
Newer cars are simply harder to steal than those from decades past, which could be boosted with a coat hanger and a screwdriver in many cases.
Modern cars are harder to steal, but Ottawa could mandate even higher standards, as are in place in other countries. It's a constant race with high-tech thieves, and we can't slow down.
The third pillar is car owner behaviour.
There's no foolproof way to prevent your car from being stolen. But there are plenty of ways to make it less likely.
How many cars are stolen simply because they were left unlocked? How many were broken into because the owner left expensive sunglasses, a purse or wallet, or even money lying in plain view inside?
All three pillars could be strengthened.
On the enforcement side, targeting the high-end, sophisticated thieves is a priority. They've run rampant in Ontario and Quebec, and local agencies have to be prepared for their possible arrival here.
On safety, manufacturers could be incentivized to add more anti-theft devices to their models sold here. That's a matter for the federal government.
For the final pillar, education is needed, but you can only educate people so much.
Common sense is required, and people who routinely leave their wallets or keys sitting in their cup holder may be lacking in that department. Some people make the job easy for car thieves.
