Don’t let the Grinch steal your Christmas

Coquitlam, Public Alert

2023-12-08 11:52 PST

As the holiday season is upon us, more people are shopping and attending parties with gifts and valuables in their vehicles. Coquitlam RCMP are reminding the public to refrain from leaving valuables in their vehicles for opportunistic thieves to steal.

View a larger image: The Grinch peering through the window of a vehicle full of packages and presents

Coquitlam RCMP want to empower the public to take holiday auto crime safety precautions to avoid falling victim to opportunistic Grinches.

Tips:

• If possible, park under lighting, and close to entrances or exits
• Ensure your vehicle is locked and secured before leaving it unattended
• If it is cold outside and you want to warm up your vehicle before driving away, do not leave your vehicle idling unattended
• Under no circumstances should you leave your children unattended in your vehicle
• Don’t use your vehicle as a storage locker. If you need to temporarily store your purchases, place them in your locked trunk, away from opportunistic thieves to see.

For more tips, visit BC RCMP: Christmas shopping Safety and Holiday Season Safety Tips

Every year during the holiday season, we see opportunistic auto crime occur as more people leave valuables in their vehicle unattended while they continue holiday shopping or attend gatherings, said Media Relations Officer, Corporal Alexa Hodgins. The public can take precautionary steps to help deter thieves by properly securing their valuables and vehicles.

According to the Coquitlam RCMP Property Crime Dashboard, in 2022, there were 865 Thefts from Autos in Coquitlam, with 45 occurring during the month of December. In Port Coquitlam during the same time, there were 146 Theft from Autos, with 9 occurring in the month of December. In 2021, there were 806 Theft from Autos in Coquitlam and 134 in Port Coquitlam. Of those incidents, 49 occurred in Coquitlam and 11 in Port Coquitlam during the month of December.

View a larger image: Coquitlam RCMP Community Policing Volunteers, Police officers and ICBC standing outside Coquitlam Centre holding auto crime information packages

Coquitlam RCMP Community Volunteers are out and about in our neighbourhoods to enhance our safety messaging. In the month of December, our volunteers are conducting foot patrols in major parking lots to help police create safer neighbourhoods, reduce crime and enhance public safety. They will be inspecting parked vehicles for visible valuables and providing reminders for the owners.

To learn more about our Volunteer programs, visit: Community Policing and Volunteer Programs

Released by

Cpl. Alexa Hodgins

Email: coquitlam_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: coquitlam.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

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