Across this province, the RCMP respond to significant numbers of vehicle thefts that involve idling vehicles.
In Red Deer itself, the numbers for 2020 already show that 31 per cent of the vehicles stolen were either running with unlocked doors, or had the keys in them. These vehicles include all types; cars, trucks and mini-vans.
For a crime to occur, there must be a person with the desire and ability to commit the crime, a person or property that is the target of the crime, and the opportunity to commit the crime. The RCMP is focusing on getting community members to remove the opportunity for culprits to commit the crime of stealing vehicles.
Leaving a vehicle running unattended creates a situation that criminals find difficult to resist.
“The stolen vehicles in our community pose a significant risk to public safety in a variety of ways,” says Insp. Holly Glassford of the Red Deer RCMP.
“Our goal is not to shame anyone, rather to just ask everyone to be smart, and do their part.”
-Submitted