Shoppers should leave vehicles locked, valuable out of sight

The Insurance Brokers Association of Nova Scotia (IBANS) is reminding motorists to “Grinch-proof” their vehicles as the holiday shopping season gets into full swing.

Motorists need to ensure their vehicles are locked at all times to ensure would-be criminals are thwarted and holiday purchases remain safe from theft, notes a statement Thursday from IBANS.

The association further recommends keeping shopping bags (even empty ones) hidden from view while shopping; removing all valuables (such as purses, GPSs and electronics) from vehicles upon returning home; keeping vehicles free of clutter, which helps reduce break-ins; and not leaving garage door openers inside vehicles, since it can be used to access the home.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and auto insurer Canadian Direct Insurance issued a similar warning. The most commonly-stolen items from vehicles are GPS units; sunglasses/prescription glasses; purses, gym bags, backpacks and briefcases; tools; garage door remotes; stereo systems; and electronics (laptops, tablets, phones), notes a statement from the insurer.

“Whenever you leave valuables unattended in your vehicle, they’re at risk of being stolen. People often think that gifts are safe in the trunk, but they’re not,” says Detective Phil Ens of the VPD Auto Crime Enforcement Unit.

“Thieves will take anything and everything out of your car,” cautions Colin Brown, chief operating officer of Canadian Direct Insurance, and sponsor of the Safer Parking Initiative (SPI). “Thieves can be in and out of your car in under a minute,” Brown points out.

Read more: Campaign geared at helping residents guard against auto crime

SPI, launched in August 2007, is a partnership among the VPD, Canadian Direct Insurance and a coalition of organizations including parking lot owners, operators, businesses and community groups

 

With the busy holiday season approaching, the VPD are asking for help in reducing theft-from-autos. Don’t leave valuables inside your car, because thieves are shopping, too.

A video posted by VancouverPD (@vancouverpd) onNov 11, 2014 at 10:58am PST

The VPD and Canadian Direct Insurance are encouraging shoppers to choose parking facilities with the Safer Parking Award, which identifies parking facilities whose managers and owners have taken extra steps to ensure a safer environment for customers. The statement notes that SPI has helped reduce theft-from-auto in certified parkades by an average of 47%.

These thefts in Vancouver have significantly declined over the last decade, but thousands of these crimes still occur each year.

Specifically, theft-from auto incidents in the city from January to September 2014 number 7,134; 8,020 in 2013; 7,778 in 2012; 7,249 in 2011; and 8,363 in 2010. Numbers have been dropping over the last dozen or so years, with incidents in 2002 being the highest, at 18,858.

Heading out to shop on #BlackFriday? Share these shopping tips & #ThinkSafe http://t.co/1eKx6EzI7A pic.twitter.com/2EtZmSZaO9

— Travelers (@Travelers) November 26, 2014