Spike in crime prompts Calgary police to release dramatic helicopter footage of ‘reckless’ car thefts

Video of cars speeding the wrong direction down busy Calgary streets, trucks fleeing without tires and drivers crashing through fences was released Thursday from Calgary police helicopter surveillance footage.

READ MORE: 19 cars stolen in Calgary every day, say police

In what looks like a scene from a Grand Theft Auto game, police said they are showing the video to demonstrate their concern when it comes to stolen vehicles and the risk to the public, police, and even offenders themselves.

“This footage shows just a few examples of the incidents that are occurring more commonly throughout the city,” police said in a statement. “The examples include a vehicle that narrowly misses a pedestrian on a sidewalk, two carjackings and vehicles being driven at high rates of speed, into oncoming traffic and through red lights.”

Police said there were 4,879 stolen vehicle reports in 2016—an increase of 51 per cent from the five-year average. One in four stolen vehicles are taken with the keys inside, police said, adding 14 such thefts happened on Wednesday morning.

READ MORE: Stolen sedan smashes into 5 parked cars, Calgary police

WATCH: Police say Calgarians are making it too easy for the bad guys to steal cars, and they have released footage to demonstrate how these avoidable situations are creating risks on the road. Jill Croteau reports.

1:48 Spike in crime prompts Calgary police to release dramatic helicopter footage of ‘reckless’ car thefts

Tracking, recovering, investigating and laying charges in stolen vehicle incidents also takes up valuable police resources.

“In addition to the time spent on these calls by specialty resources including HAWCS, District Operations Teams and members from the Canine and Tactical Units, patrol officers are also involved in a stolen vehicle response, preventing them from taking on other priority calls for service,” police said in a statement.

Police are asking Calgarians to help lessen the impact stolen vehicles have on the community by taking the following actions:

• Report suspicious people and activity immediately by calling 403-266-1234 or 911 for a crime in progress.
• Never leave a vehicle running and unattended. Vehicles with push-button starts can easily be driven away if a thief gets into the vehicle. Not all vehicles are equipped with an immobilizer, which shuts off a vehicle if it is driven a certain distance away from the corresponding key fob.
• Install a remote starter if possible.
• Use a steering wheel lock to deter thieves.
• Always keep your vehicle locked. Never leave spare keys or garage door openers in or around your vehicle.
• Never leave children unattended in a running vehicle.