Operation Cold Start aims to reduce vehicle thefts

MEDIA RELEASE:

Lethbridge Police, along with other law enforcement agencies in Alberta, have initiated Operation Cold Start – a campaign aimed at preventing the theft of idling vehicles.

Between January 8 and 12, members of the Community Resource Unit will be patrolling the city in search of unlocked vehicles left running and unattended. If the owner cannot be located, pamphlets will be left on the vehicle outlining how to prevent warm-up thefts. This morning officers located a total of 56 vehicles idling with the doors unlocked.

Warm-up thefts are crimes of opportunity, where car thieves target vehicles that are left running an unattended. These thefts are preventable and with the snow and drop in temperatures, police are asking motorists to do their part to prevent being victimized.

• Never leave a running vehicle unattended if the keys are inside
• Use a remote starter whenever possible and keep your vehicle locked
• If you are warming up your vehicle with the keys in the ignition or with a push button start, stay with your vehicle
• Use a steering wheel lock as a deterrent
• Never leave spare keys or garage door openers in or around your vehicle
• Never leave children or pets inside a running vehicle
• Do not leave valuables, including identity documents and bank cards, in your vehicle
• Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity to police immediately
• If you observe a crime in progress call 911

In 2022, there were a total of 324 vehicle thefts, compared to 325 in 2021 and 289 in 2020.