Criminals targeting cars and their contents seem to be getting the message about the effectiveness of B.C.'s Bait Car, and the police volunteer-led Lock Out Auto Crime programs.
Since the bait car program was instituted in 2003, auto thefts in Richmond have plummeted by 74 per cent - one per cent more than the provincial average - and there were 43 per cent fewer auto break-ins, according to figures from ICBC and the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT).
That impressive drop, recently announced at the launch of this year's Auto Crime Enforcement Month, comes despite a spike in local numbers last year that ICBC owed to possibly a rise in activity by a small group of thieves which resulted in four per cent more vehicle thefts and eight per cent more break-ins compared to 2011.
But the overall decrease is welcome news, said Const. Greg Reimer from the RCMP's Community Policing Section.
He praised the volunteers' effort with Lock Out Auto Crime which "essentially educates the public" that criminals are on the look out for just about any valuable items left in vehicles - even small amounts of loose change.
"You may think a few dollars in change left in a car is not a big thing. But it doesn't cost them (criminal) to break your window," Reimer said. "So, if they do that several times a day, they've made their money."
Steveston Community Police Station volunteer Graham Swindell said most auto owners are thankful for the safety audits they conduct where they examine a vehicle to see if items have been left in plain view inside that may tempt a break-in.
When completed, the volunteers tuck a crime prevention notice under the vehicle's wiper blade outlining both the good and bad points. The notice also includes some helpful auto crime prevention tips.
It's all sound advice that could save vehicle owners a lot of needless problems, especially if they happen to have the keys to one of the top 10 autos preyed upon by criminals in Greater Vancouver.
According to ICBC, Honda's Civic was at the top of the stolen list in 2011. Number two was the Chrysler/Dodge Caravan/ Voyager. Third was another Honda product-the Accord sedan.
A truck made it to fourth spot with Ford's F-Series.
And rounding out the top five was the Toyota Corolla.
The rest of the top 10 include, in descending order from sixth place: Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee, Toyota Camry/Solara, Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/ Sierra, Acura Integra, and Nissan Pathfinder.
RICHMOND NUMBERS
Thefts of vehicles
Year # reported
2003 - 720
2004 - 840
2005 - 590
2006 - 500
2007 - 430
2008 - 300
2009 - 310
2010 - 330
2011 - 180
2012 - 190
Thefts from vehicles
Year # reported
2003 - 1,440
2004 - 1,730
2005 - 1,350
2006 - 1,380
2007 - 1,390
2008 - 1,400
2009 - 750
2010 - 900
2011 - 770
2012 - 830
