Car Theft Counter-Trend

Recently, Road Rules reported that overall car thefts were down as a result of the various, very practical steps that were being taken to combat it. The following commentary on a counter-trend is largely based on recent newspaper articles from North Shore News.

North Vancouver has somehow managed to buck the trend. There, “the number of cars stolen was up by more that 50 percent —from 133 thefts between April and June of 2003 to 201 car thefts during those months in 2004.” (The North Shore News – Oct.10) And in 2003 thieves stole 913 vehicles, which was a 37 percent increase over the number of car thefts in 2002.

At the moment, there does not appear to be an explanation for this statistical anomaly, from the police or anyone else. Traditionally, both North and West Vancouver have comparatively low rates of car theft. West Vancouver is apparently consistent with the general downward trend.

Although police do not normally disclose how many bait cars are on the road and how many have been “stolen,” in response to these statistics they have reported that none of the bait cars in North Vancouver have been touched. It should be noted that where car theft rates are low, the actions of just one car thief can have a significant impact on the statistics, and it may take a while for the thief to come into contact with bait cars.

Whatever the cause for the counter-trend, it means that North Shore residents will want to take extra care, as will motorists everywhere, regardless of the trend at the moment. There are many simple, common mistakes that give thieves an opportunistic chance. Here is some advice on car theft prevention from the Cincinnati Police Dept website:

Never leave your car running unattended.
Never leave your keys in the car or ignition.
Always roll up your windows and lock a parked car, even if it is in front of your home.
Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked. This is the number one reason cars are broken into. Put them in the trunk out of sight.
Always park in busy, well-lighted areas.
Install a mechanical device that locks to the steering wheel, column, or brake to prevent the wheel from being turned more than a few degrees. Commonly called clubs, collars or J-bars, these devices can act as a deterrent if installed properly.
Investigate the purchase of an auto security system if you live in a high-theft area or drive a theft-prone vehicle.
Always leave just the ignition key with the attendant, if you park in a commercial garage or lot and are required to leave a key. Make sure no identifying information is attached. Do the same when you take your car for repairs.
Don't leave personal identification documents in your vehicle.
Copy your license plate and vehicle identification (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with your driver's license. If your vehicle is stolen, police will need this information promptly.