Theft from and of motor vehicles is down from last year locally, as is the case throughout the province.
In correlation with Crime Prevention Week in B.C., Nov. 1-7, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure put out a joint release stating the first half of 2012 has seen a 17 per cent drop in vehicle thefts throughout the province. According to ICBC, however, the decrease in Salmon Arm has been greater.
A Nov. 8 email from ICBC spokesperson Lindsay Olsen states that in Salmon Arm, there were 27 per cent fewer vehicle thefts (11 compared to 8) and 55 per cent fewer break-ins (11 to 5) in the first six months of 2012 compared to 2011.
Olsen adds there were 20 per cent fewer vehicle thefts and 72 per cent fewer break-ins since a bait car was introduced.
The province reminds motor vehicle owners that auto crime is still an issue, with thieves looking for easy targets.
“If you own an older vehicle, there is a higher risk of it being stolen or broken into as older vehicles often don’t have an effective anti-theft device and are easy to steal,” states the province’s release.
Tips to protect your vehicle and its contents include using an anti-theft device and removing all possessions from your vehicle that might attract thieves. This includes shopping bags, electronics and spare change. Use an electronic immobilizer, park in well-lit areas, keep your garage door opener out of sight and wait for the door to close behind you when entering a parkade.