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Locked vehicle warnings continue to be ignored: Police

Aug 8, 2017 | 9:54 AM

It’s a warning the RCMP issued several times and it continues to be ignored by many.

With the increase in thefts in the area, particularly in vehicle break-ins, RCMP are frustrated people still refuse to lock their vehicles while unattended or leave valuables inside which tempt thieves.

Wilkie RCMP report four vehicles were entered on July 27 with owners reporting stolen items including loose change and valuables. A vehicle was also stolen on July 27 but later recovered in the town.

Between July 28 and 29, Maidstone RCMP reported nine offences including break and enter into vehicles and vehicle thefts.

“The importance of keeping keys and other valuables out of vehicles cannot be stressed enough,” Const. Ryan Reid of the Maidstone Enhanced Policing Unit said. ”Most vehicles stolen in our area have had keys left in them or easily accessible with the doors unlocked.”

Sgt. Ryan How of the Meadow Lake RCMP detachment had a similar message. 

“We (RCMP) understand that car-shopping is a constant frustration to the public and we try to deploy our resources accordingly,” How said. “We simply can’t dedicate the hours to this issue required to stop it.”

How added the RCMP encourages the public to take on prevention and ensure the vehicles are locked and no valuables are left inside.

“We have members out on foot in the middle of the night,” How said. “We simply can’t be on every street every night.”

RCMP also ask residents to lock their property including sheds and homes when unattended and make sure items like skateboards and bicycles are not left in plain view during the overnight hours.

 

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