Unlocked vehicles continue to make victims of Oak Bay residents.
On Dec. 3 alone three theft from autos were reported in the 1600 block of Foul Bay Road, 2000 block of Byron Street and 1700 block of Elgin Road. All three vehicles were not locked, the contents were tossed and the focus of the thief was loose change.
“Lock your cars and don’t leave valuables in them,” said Const. Rick Anthony, community liaison officer. “Leaving anything visible is a mistake. Put things in the trunk at the very least.”
The insecure vehicle is an ongoing trend in our community over the past several weeks with many items stolen from cars in various neighbourhoods.
“[Thieves] count on the fact that people are lazy or inattentive because they live in a quiet neighbourhood,” Anthony said. “There’s no moat around Oak Bay … we’re not immune just because we live in a nice quiet area.”
It’s a lament the police sing all year long, adding that drivers should remember to roll up the windows then lock the doors in summer. During the holidays, they hope to discourage residents from becoming victims by reminding them to put packages out of sight.
It’s as simple as “protect your property”.
“If you leave your vehicle unlocked you’ve given them the upper hand. If you make it harder you’ve upped your chance of not being a victim,” Anthony said. “Make the effort to be safer and more secure in whatever you do.”
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com