More than 240 idling vehicles stolen in Calgary in the last 3 months
Calgary police are patrolling neighbourhoods as part of an effort to deter car thieves and educate owners who leave their unattended vehicles running.
Operation Cold Start kicked off Monday in Calgary and throughout the province as police look to thwart seasonal crimes of opportunity.
"Vehicles that are left running with the keys inside can be gone in a matter of seconds," said acting Sgt. Chris Terry of the Calgary Police Service crime prevention team. "These crimes can happen anywhere, even if you believe you are in a safe area, and even if your vehicle stays in your line of sight while you're inside your house or a store."
According to CPS officials, there were 246 vehicles reported stolen in Calgary from Nov. 1, 2022 through Jan. 25 that were left running at the time of the crime.
Terry says losing your vehicle to thieves is far more inconvenient than a few moments spent in a cold vehicle.
"A cold car is better than a stolen car, so as the temperatures drop, if you need to warm up your car and you don’t have a remote starter, make sure you bundle up and stay with your vehicle until you're ready to drive away."
Vehicle owners are encouraged to take the following steps to protect themselves, their vehicles and their loved ones:
Never leave a running vehicle unattended with the keys inside or if the vehicle has a keyless ignition;
- Use a remote starter if possible or stay with your vehicle when warming it;
- Use a steering wheel lock;
- Never leave children or pets unattended in an idling vehicle; and
- Do not leave valuables in a vehicle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.