RCMP remind the public to lock their vehicles

Fort St John

2022-11-04 10:26 PDT

File # PSA - Secure your vehicle

The Fort St John RCMP wishes to remind the public that it is imperative that you secure your vehicle when not in use.  Especially as Fort St John enters into the winter season where most drivers run their vehicle to warm up prior to using it. 

On Thursday, November 3, 2022, the Fort St John RCMP received two consecutive stolen vehicle reports.

At 5:22am, police received a report of a car being stolen after it was left running to warm up prior to the owner going to work, in the area of 93rd Street and 98A Avenue in Fort St John.  

At 6:30am, police received a report of a pickup truck being stolen overnight, in a rural area north of Charlie Lake, that was left unlocked with the keys and wallet left in the vehicle. 

The BC Motor Vehicle Act has a fine that can be issued to drivers/owners who do not lock their vehicle for Unsecured Motor Vehicle and a fine amount of $81.00. The intent is not to punish drivers but to ensure that operators are securing their vehicles in order to prevent thefts and unauthorized use of the vehicle.

Thieves are always looking for easy targets. Leaving a vehicle unlocked with keys in a vehicle make it a prime target for getting stolen and often the vehicle is not located.

The RCMP offer a few tips to help protect yourself and your belongings as we enter the cold weather season:

• lock your vehicle every time you leave it unattended, even for a short time,
• take all personal belongings with you when you leave your vehicle unattended, such as wallets, keys and money,
• remove or cover purchased items if you leave your vehicle unattended for additional shopping,
• if you need to run your vehicle to warm it up, lock it and use a second set of keys to open the vehicle when you return,
• install and use additional safety items such as security systems, command start or a steering wheel "Club",
• turn off your vehicle and lock it when you go into a convenience store or gas station, even if just for a short time.

Removing wallets, valuable possessions or documents can also save the operator from lifelong consequences of personal information being used for identity theft.

The simple act of locking the vehicle and keeping the keys secured can prevent significant loss of valuable items and documents as well as the loss of a vehicle and the cost related to trying to recover it or replace it for the owner.

The Fort St John RCMP all motorists a safe and secure winter driving season.

Released by

Cst. Chad Neustaeter

Email: chad.neustaeter@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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