Niagara Regional Police Service Warns Motorists to Lock Their Vehicles and Not Leave Valuables in Plain View
The Niagara Regional Police Service is participating in the Province-wide Lock it OR Lose it Campaign and warning motorists about the dangers of property and identity theft resulting from unlocked vehicles or the leaving of valuables in plain view. The campaign is sponsored by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Polices (OACP) and encourages drivers to take precautions to protect their vehicles and vehicle contents from theft, particularly during the holiday season.
This year, on Thursday November 27, 2014, the Niagara Regional Police Service had an increased presence at the Pen Centre in St Catharines reinforcing the Lock it or Lose it” campaign.
The Niagara Regional Police Service urges the residents of Niagara to help prevent theft by following some helpful reminders.
Vehicles:
Never leave your vehicle running and unattended.
Always lock your vehicle.
Park in a well lit area.
Never leave valuables/purchases in plain view.
Home:
Lock all doors and windows.
Dont advertise what Santa brought you.
Make it look like someone is home.
Encourage your neighbours to call Police if they see anything suspicious.
“The insurance industry remains a strong supporter of the Lock It OR Lose It Campaign. We know it works,” said Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigative Services, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “While actual vehicle thefts have dropped, we are very concerned about identity theft and identity fraud. Cases of identity theft and fraud have increased across Canada from 10,807 to 11,594 in 2013 a 6% increase.”
Dubin urged motorists not to keep personal documents such as vehicle ownership, liability pink slips, credit card invoices, or other documents containing personal information in their vehicles. Identity thieves are looking for such documents so they can assume identities, secure credit card accounts, lease vehicles for export, and even take out a mortgage against victims properties without their knowledge. Victims may not realize they have been victimized until it is too late, costing them time and money to rectify the damage.
VIDEO SOURCE: Niagara Regional Police, Vimeo
