In the last several weeks, Yellowknife’s Rant and Raves Facebook page has reported several cases of individuals attempting (and sometimes succeeding) to steal items from the inside of parked cars.
While there is no completely foolproof way to protect vehicles from thieves who are determined, thefts from the insides of vehicles are often crimes of opportunity, and there are several things that can be done to dissuade opportunists from making off with a handful of gift cards.
First, be smart when parking. If you have access to a parking area that keeps your vehicle out of sight at home or at work, use it. Park in a garage if one is available. Alternatively, when parking out in public, try to keep the vehicle in well-lit, public areas with lots of eyes.
Security cameras are a good investment for the home. In the event that something does get taken from your car, there is at least a chance that the suspect can be identified through the footage, and your property has a higher chance of being returned. Some home security systems also have automatic alert systems.
Another tip is to avoid leaving your car unattended for long while the engine is running. While that can be a challenge during the winter months here in the north, leaving the car alone to let it warm up also leaves it as a perfect opportunity for someone to quickly drive off with it. If you need to let the car idle for a moment, make sure that someone is inside, and leave the doors locked until the driver returns.
While it seems there have been no reports of entire cars being stolen in the last few weeks, there have been smaller items taken from the inside of vehicles. For those cases, simply making sure the door is locked can be enough to deter thieves.
