HALDIMAND—A quick look through the recently posted OPP reports published in The Press reveals a recurring theme over December and January: car thefts.
The following headlines were sent to The Press by the OPP between December 21, 2023 and January 25, 2024:
December 21 – Stolen vehicle involved in crash (Caledonia)
December 21 – Stolen motor vehicle observed in Hagersville
January 4 – Thieves enter unlocked garage and remove key fob – Vehicle stolen from driveway of residence (Townsend)
January 4 – Pickup truck stolen from parking lot (Dunnville)
January 11 – Theft of motor vehicle (Fisherville)
January 25 – Vehicle stolen from Cayuga business
Combined with news from around the province, including a recent GTA-area crackdown on violent vehicle theft that led to 89 arrests, 554 charges laid, and 109 vehicles recovered, The Press contacted Haldimand OPP for more information.
“While vehicle theft isn’t new, there are recommendations that the OPP does encourage, regularly when it comes to securing your property, which includes vehicles,” said Haldimand OPP Community Safety Officer Patti Cote.
She said that through a joint partnership, the provincial government has supported police across Ontario through the creation of a dedicated Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team (OCTATT) to combat automotive theft.
“This Joint Forces Operation, led by the OPP, will assist policing and justice partners in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling organized crime networks involved in vehicle thefts,” said Cote.
While she noted that the Haldimand detachment of the OPP does have a Street Crime Unit that manages property crimes in the county, “as for police operations, you can surmise that I wouldn’t be able to disclose that information.”
She shared details of a provincial campaign, dubbed ‘Lock it or Lose it’: “This is a province-wide crime-prevention campaign to raise awareness year-round of the dangers of leaving vehicles unlocked and/or with valuables in sight, especially around the month of December. This offers would-be criminals an easy opportunity to victimize vehicle owners, by taking items from inside, including documents or property.”
Cote shared a helpful list of tips and advice for local vehicle owners to consider:
Never leave a vehicle running while unattended (the warm up theft is most common in winter months)
Lock your doors
Roll up your windows
Keep valuables out of sight, including loose change
Keep vehicle documents (insurance, ownership, and licence) on your person
Pocket your keys
Park in well-lit areas
Alternate parking spots each day if using the same lot
Utilize a faraday bag to store key fobs, that have RFID (radio frequency identification) blocking abilities
Secure all vehicles, including snow machines and ATV’s if possible, in a garage or outbuilding.
According to Cote, some of the most sought-after brands car thieves will target include Honda CR-V, Dodge Ram 1500, Lexus RX Series, Toyota Highlander, and Ford F150 Series.
“It only takes an experienced thief about 30 seconds to steal a vehicle, so the more the public can do to protect their own property, will make it more difficult for thieves,” concluded Cote. “The OPP’s priority is public safety and encourages residents to report anything that seems suspicious. If you see something, say something.”
