Thieves are targeting unlocked vehicles across the Tri-Cities.
That's according to RCMP officers, who are hoping to mitigate the issue by ramping up patrols in specific hot-spot neighbourhoods over the next two weeks.
According to the Mounties' CompStat overview, it shows nearly 30 instances of vehicle theft across its jurisdiction in recent weeks.
This includes an area of Port Coquitlam north of Thompson Park and the Maillardville area of Coquitlam — both have experienced the uptick in vehicle theft, as well as property theft from inside vehicles and business break and enters.
Police are set to have extra eyes in these areas, canvassing for such activity as part of its new patrolling initiative, up until Nov. 17.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is encouraged to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 or call 911 if there’s a theft in progress.
Residents can expect RCMP to roam the following:
AREA #1
- From Mary Hill Road in the west to Broadway Street in the east
- From Rindall Avenue in the north to Oughton Drive in the south
AREA #2
- From Thrift Street in the west to Schoolhouse Street in the east
- From Thomas Avenue in the north to Trans Canada Highway in the south
In the meantime, Coquitlam Mounties are urging the public to take all steps necessary when it comes to protecting personal property to curb potential theft.
This includes:
- Locking doors and closing windows
- Parking in well-lit/well-populated areas where "natural surveillance" can serve as a deterrent
- Closing garage doors at night
- Taking your garage opener, house and/or business keys and vehicle registration papers out of your vehicle when it’s parked (if thieves steal these items, they could use them to commit other crimes including identity theft and break-and-enter)
