With the onset of colder weather, it is not uncommon to see a motor vehicle parked at a convenience store, coffee shop or ATM with the engine idling and vehicle unattended. The Lambton OPP would like to remind all drivers that it is never good practice to leave a motor vehicle idling and unattended for any reason.
Auto theft costs Canadians more than $1 billion every year. About half of all stolen vehicles are used to commit another crime or are driven – often recklessly – for simple purposes of transportation. In these cases, the thieves are usually amateurs who take advantage of owner negligence by grabbing the first vehicle they can find that’s been left unsecured.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) are encouraging citizens to “Lock It or Lose It”. The goal of this proactive crime prevention program is to encourage drivers to take a few simple precautions that will protect their vehicles from theft. An unlocked door or an open window is an invitation to thieves. The “Lock It or Lose It” program reminds drivers to always:
· Roll up their vehicles’ windows;
· Keep valuables out of sight;
· Lock their doors; and
· Pocket their keys.
The “key” to protecting your vehicle is in your hands. Keep yourself from becoming an easy target by properly securing your vehicle. Remember, “Lock It or Lose It!”
