Toronto Police Clarifies Controversial Car Theft Prevention Advice
The situation with car thefts has never been as bad as it is now, especially in Quebec and Ontario, and authorities are scrambling to find real answers.
One member of the Toronto Police Service raised many eyebrows at a community safety meeting in Etobicoke last month, telling people to basically make it easy for thieves to steal your car.
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"To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your fobs at your front door, because they're breaking into your home to steal your car. They don't want anything else," Constable Marco Ricciardi said.
Sure, human safety will always trump material possessions—it’s better to lose your car than potentially losing your life. The advice came on the heels of increasing carjackings and violent break-ins in the province. But is that really the best option?
Earlier this week, TPS clarified the controversial statement and offered residents alternative suggestions to protect themselves.
An officer at a recent community meeting suggested that people leave the keys to their vehicle in a faraday bag by the front door. While well meaning, there are better ways to prevent auto theft motivated home invasions. Learn more here: https://t.co/z8JSOcIaCe pic.twitter.com/dLH92dirzd
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) March 14, 2024
Some of their best tips include installing security systems, cameras and motion detectors connected to your phone, parking vehicles in your garage if possible, keeping your driveway well lit and exterior lights on all night, having multipoint door locks on your doors and not posting on social media when you will be away from home.
Last month, in a move to protest budget cuts, TPS came out and disclosed to car thieves how much time they have to complete their crime before police would show up at the scene—another example that has people wondering exactly whose side they’re on.