Gadgets help stop car thieves

News

Posted By Vincent Ball

Updated 1 month ago

Those are just some of the tips local police and the Insurance Bureau routinely provide to motorists worried about their vehicles being stolen. And while its advice all motorists can use, the tips are especially pertinent to those living in Brantford and the surrounding area these days.

The area, according to figures released by Statistics Canada, is at the top of list for vehicle thefts in Canada for the year 2009. That despite the fact local figures provided by Brant OPP, Brantford Police and Six Nations show vehicle thefts in the area are on the way down.

Police in Brantford, Brant and Six Nations have launched a number of initiatives to combat the problem but say motorists can do their part by taking some common sense precautions.

"The first thing people need to remember is to lock their vehicle," Const. Larry Plummer of the Brant OPP, said. "When you leave your vehicle unlocked, it makes it a target and it's easier for thieves to steal.

"Motorists should also use anti-theft devices like the Club because it slows them (thieves) down."

The longer a thief figures it will take to steal your vehicle, the less likely they are to try to take it, he added.

And, he said, if you have garage, that's where you should park your vehicle overnight or when you're not going to be using it for a while.

Keeping it out of sight makes it less of a target, he said.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends using an "engine immobilizer," putting valuables in the trunk when parking your vehicle, and making sure you take the keys with you even when getting gas. About 20 per cent of stolen cars had their keys in them, the bureau says.

An immobilizer protects your vehicle automatically when it is shut off by cutting the starter, the ignition and fuel making it impossible to start your vehicle without the key.

Marking the parts of your vehicle also make it less attractive to thieves. The bureau also recommends parking in well-lit, busy areas of parking lots.

Scott Joslin owner of The Audible Difference on West Street says his store sells, on average, three or four car alarms systems or vehicle tracking devices a week.

"They are really popular with tradespeople, like plumbers, who have their own trucks and have a lot of tools," Joslin said.

"If their truck gets stolen it's really hard on them because they've lost their tools too and that's their livelihood.

"They have to do everything they can to protect their trucks."

There are a number of vehicle-theft protection products available and he believes auto alarms deter would-be thieves.

"It's a preventative thing. A thief doesn't want to try to get into a vehicle that has an alarm," he said.

"In most cases, I'll bet 75 per cent of them, when a thief looks into a vehicle and sees a flashing red light that indicates there's an alarm, he's going to move on and look for another vehicle."

One popular product is a GPSbased tracking and security system that enables people to determine where their vehicle is at any given time through the Internet. Parents can use it to keep track of their kids when they borrow the car and if the vehicle is stolen, the owner can call police and tell them where it is, Joslin said.

"If your vehicle is stolen you can go on the Internet and find out where it is in real time," Joslin said. "You can then call the police and tell them where it is within about 50 metres.

"It's portable and totally hidden so no one knows where it is. This is really designed to catch the thieves."

He's received a few phone calls from people since media reports about Brantford and the surrounding area being a hot spot for vehicle thefts.

"We've booked a few jobs and we've received phone calls," Joslin said. "I'm sure it's in the back of people's mind. They don't want to become the next victim."

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