WINNIPEG — Over the past year there’s been a spike in vehicle break-ins throughout the downtown core; now Winnipeg police are giving drivers some prevention tips.
Const. Rejeanne Caron, the downtown safety co-ordinator for Winnipeg police, said the break-ins are opportunistic and therefore preventable.
“There are a lot of people that work downtown, we have people who access sporting events, they come down for school,” Caron said.
The Winnipeg police sent out a list of helpful tips Tuesday.
Secure your car
- Park your car in a well-lit and secure area.
- Park off the street in your driveway if you don’t have a garage.
- Park in a locked garage if possible.
Remove all valuables
- Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. Take them with you if possible.
- If not, secure your items in your trunk without being seen.
- Do not leave personal documents such as your registration or driver license in your vehicle.
Lock your vehicle
- Lock your vehicle doors (always physically check to make sure it is locked).
- Close all windows, including your sunroof.
- If you have an alarm system, activate it every time you leave the vehicle.
- Tradespeople should lock external tool boxes and equipment if they can’t be removed.
Winnipeg Police are also urging drivers to report break-ins with police.
“We take that information very seriously,” Caron said. “We have our crime analysis look at the data – they chart it and we look at that very, very seriously on a weekly basis.”
If the incident is not in progress and the theft is under $5,000, you can make a police report through online reporting on their website.
With files from 680 CJOB
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