Barrie police are reminding the public to “lock it or lose it” when it comes to leaving valuables inside their vehicles at home or away this Christmas season.
On Tuesday, police say officers from the community safety and well-being unit checked more than 600 vehicles in parking lots on Bayfield Street North and found doors unlocked, purses and keys to the vehicles left behind and small change.
Police say they found 32 vehicles left unlocked.
With many people being out doing their holiday shopping, and in an effort to prevent unnecessary thefts from taking place, officers from the unit, along with members of the Citizens On Patrol (COP) program, will be out in area malls checking for cars that may have been left unlocked and have visible items left behind which may be of interest to opportunistic thieves.
“This proactive initiative, which is supported and endorsed by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, will see a ‘report card’ left on your windshield identifying that you have left your vehicle unlocked, a window open, valuables in plain view or your vehicle is unlocked, and you have left your keys behind,” said Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon.
The reverse side of the report card offers a few simple yet effective auto-theft prevention tips on how to protect your vehicle and any purchases you have made, he added.
As well, officers and volunteers from the COP program will also be making their way into neighbourhoods where thefts from unlocked vehicles have been previously reported to police.
“Theft is preventable and it starts with always making sure that anytime you park your vehicle, whether it be in your driveway, garage or in a parking lot, to always make sure that it is locked,” Leon said.
Police suggest vehicle owners always get into the habit of checking their car doors by either a simple pull on the door handle or using the lock feature on their key fob which will provide an audible beep or a noticeable click when the doors are locked.
Police also encourage people to always lock any valuables or purchased items in the trunk of their car, and if they have a sport utility vehicle (SUV) or a pickup truck, consider placing them on the floor, back seat or in your hatchback area with a blanket placed over top.
