The Regina Police Service is reminding Regina vehicle owners to practice good crime prevention strategies to prevent theft from auto. If something is of value to you, don’t leave it in your car like an invitation.
Every day, in Regina, there are incidents of theft from auto reported to the Regina Police Service. As an example, during the week of July 4-11, there were 57 reported thefts from auto, occurring all over our city. Items stolen vary but, typically, these include: wallets and identification, tools, CDs, electronic devices (Ipods, phones, etc), backpacks, briefcases, liquor, cameras and a substantial amount of cash. In some cases, spare keys and garage door openers are stolen from the vehicle and lead to theft of vehicles, break and enters and other thefts. The most consistent factor among these cases – and the most alarming – is that many of the vehicles were not locked and valuables were left in plain sight in the vehicles.
Two key crime prevention strategies could have prevented these thefts:
1) Remove all valuables from your vehicle, including spare keys and garage door openers, and
2) Lock your vehicle.
Too often, people make the assumption that a) no one will steal from their vehicles or b) there is nothing worth stealing. In police interviews of suspects who are subsequently charged with theft from auto, the culprits often state that they simply try the doors of vehicles parked on the street and if a door is left unlocked they steal whatever is left inside, even if it is a CD or a handful of change. In other cases, even if the vehicle is locked but something of value is left in plain view, the suspects will smash a window to commit the theft.
In many cases, theft from auto is easily preventable. Always take your valuables from the vehicle; lock the doors and report any suspicious activity to police. If you see a crime in progress call 9-1-1; try to get a description of suspects or suspect vehicles, but always keep yourself safe.
