The Holiday Season is the perfect time for
“All Valuables Removed” Campaign tips
(Ottawa)— Tomorrow, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) will be
launching its annual crime prevention program “Lock It OR Lose It” to encourage
drivers to take precautions to protect their vehicles and vehicle contents from
theft, as the Holiday Season approaches.
Did you know that theft from vehicles increase dramatically during this popular
shopping time of the year? As you shop for items in stores, would-be-thieves
shop for items in your vehicle.
The Ottawa Police Service’s equivalent crime prevention program “All Valuables
Removed” Campaign tips can help you ensure your gifts are not the target of
would-be-thieves.
You can place an “All Valuables Removed” warning card in your window to help
deter thieves. These cards – designed to be displayed by vehicle owners on the
inside of the driver’s side window – are letting would-be-thieves know not to
bother searching your vehicle and alerting others to take the same precautions.
During this initiative, Community Police Centre Officers will be at the
following locations on Thursday, November 27th distributing the cards and
instructing people on the best―and worst―ways to keep valuables out of view in
their vehicle:
• West Division: Bayshore Shopping Centre, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
• Central Division: St. Laurent Shopping Centre, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• East Division: Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tips & Hints
• Remove valuables and shopping bags from view. This includes loose change
and electronic devices such as IPods, cell phones and GPS navigation systems.
• Never leave your vehicle running and unattended.
• Close windows and lock the doors.
• Never leave your car or house keys in your vehicle.
• Park in well lit areas with pedestrian traffic.
• When returning to your vehicle carrying bags, place them in trunk, and
then drive away to a different parking spot if shopping is not completed.
Thieves notice unattended vehicles that have new purchases for them to take.
Pop quiz:
The Question:
Thefts from vehicles are a citywide crime trend. From the scenarios below, which
vehicle is at risk?
a) An unlocked vehicle with a GPS on the dash.
b) A locked vehicle with a wallet sitting on the passenger seat.
c) A locked vehicle parked on a poorly lit street with minimal pedestrian
traffic.
d) They are all at risk.
The Answer:
• The right answer is D. Thefts from vehicles are a crime of opportunity
and can happen anywhere, and at any time. It is therefore important to take as
many preventative measures as possible to try and safeguard yourself from
becoming a victim.
“All Valuables Removed” Warning cards are available at Community Police Centres,
Ottawa Police stations’ Information Desks, and by request at
pia@ottawapolice.ca<mailto:pia@ottawapolice.ca>.
