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
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.