Brantford Police Chief Rob Davis is welcoming a new $51-million provincial initiative to help combat auto theft.
“We’re thankful for the recent announcement by the provincial government to increase funding opportunities and to develop collaborative, multi-jurisdictional teams to combat auto theft,” Davis said in a statement issued Thursday. “These initiatives will be instrumental in our efforts to address auto theft in our community.”
The three-year strategy, announced by Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner last week, aims to dismantle organized crime groups and bring car thieves to justice. In making the announcement, Kerzner said auto theft increased by 14 per cent last year.
Provincial officials say a vehicle is stolen in Ontario every 48 minutes. Auto thefts increased 81 per cent from 2014 to 2021 and there was a 78 per cent increase in carjackings in Toronto from 2021 to 2022.
Locally, 321 vehicles were reported as stolen to Brantford police in 2022. The number sits at 89 vehicles so far this year.
The new provincial initiative will fund extra resources to fight auto theft through public education and awareness campaigns as well as technology to help police find and identify stolen vehicles.
Brantford police on Thursday reminded residents of an auto theft trend called ‘relay and reprogramming’ that has been previously reported in the city.
Vehicles targeted by relay and reprogramming are newer model, high-end with keyless entry and push start technology. They are usually stolen overnight.
Thieves who use the technique will approach a house and use technology to find a key fob in the home. The technology allows thieves to remain outside the home to amplify and transfer the key fob signal to unlock, start and steal the vehicle. Typically, the theft will remain undetected until the victim discovers the vehicle missing.
Thieves who use the reprogramming technique will force their way into a vehicle and use an electronic device to access the vehicle’s diagnostics. The thieves then reprogram a blank key fob so the vehicle can be started and stolen.
Following are tips to protect your vehicle from theft:
- Park your vehicle inside a locked and secure garage.
Block the access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprogramming the vehicle’s key fob. (A simple device can be purchased online). - Use a steering wheel locking device to determine theft.
- Place the vehicle key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals when not in use inside your residence and in a purse or pocket.
- Consider equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket global positioning system (GPS) tracker. The tracker may assist police in locating the vehicle and/or suspects.
- Ensure all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended.
- Lock your vehicle at all times.
- Never leave your vehicle running and unattended.
- Consider purchasing a surveillance system and ensure the quality and function will capture any suspicious activity for a 24-hour period.
Residents who see suspicious people in their neighborhood looking into vehicles are asked to call police immediately. The information will help investigators track criminal behavior and potentially identify suspects.
To report a crime progress call 911. Any non-emergency incidents can be reported online at www.Brantfordpolice.ca or by calling 519-750-7050.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Brant Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/ .
(With files from Postmedia).
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