VICTORIA, B.C. – April is auto crime enforcement month, and the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), Government of B.C, and ICBC are encouraging people to be car smart.
Police say in British Columbia, every twelve minutes a vehicle is broken into and every sixty-three minutes a vehicle is stolen.
IMPACT is encouraging people to take the right steps to make sure anyone’s vehicle isn’t a target for auto crime.
RCMP reminds residents to lock their vehicles, remove or hide valuables, and take their keys with them. They add that residents should try to park in well-lit, high-traffic areas, use an immobilizer and remove any garage door openers from their vehicles.
“This year we are encouraging owners to ‘Be Car Smart’ by taking the extra steps and necessary precautions to make sure their vehicles are locked, secured and unattractive targets for auto crime offenders,” Inspector Rob Vermeulen, Officer in Charge of IMPACT explains.
“Vehicle thefts and break-ins are often crimes of opportunity. While IMPACT works hard to take criminals off our streets, we all need to ‘Be Car Smart’ and follow the tips from IMPACT to safeguard our vehicles and deter thieves from targeting our cars,” says Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
Auto crime enforcement month is an annual event, supported by IMPACT, the BC Government and ICBC. Every year, an effort is made to raise awareness of auto crime to try and prevent vehicle owners from being victims.
For more information on IMPACT, more prevention tips, and a list of wanted auto crime offenders in BC, click here.
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