Cold weather and the holiday season are fast approaching –don’t be a victim

The Halton Regional Police Service wants to inform residents about some precautionary measures they can take now that the colder weather is upon us and shopping for the holidays has begun.

Don’t let that warm car result in a cold walk, between November 3rd 2009 and January 14th 2010 there were 25 vehicles stolen in Halton Region that had been left unattended and idling by their owners. 15 of these vehicle thefts occurred in the Town of Milton concentrated in the Derry Road Community. The vehicle could be locked, it could be in your driveway, the coffee shop, or in one situation in the garage, a running car left unattended is still a target for thieves.

Police also warn about leaving your car doors open or any items in plain view. Crimes of opportunity occur when we don’t take the necessary precautions such as locking our vehicles and placing items out of site.

While there is no absolute guarantee against becoming a victim of vehicle theft, or having your vehicle broken into, the Halton Regional Police Service offers the following tips:

• Park in a well-lit and attended area, if possible, for your own safety as well as your car’s
• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even for a few seconds. Turn off the ignition and take the keys with you.
• Always lock all of your vehicle’s doors and windows after entering and exiting it
• Never leave personal identification or valuables in your vehicle. Lock all valuables in the trunk. Don’t tempt thieves by leaving packages, cameras, or purses in plain view or on the seat
• Remove GPS navigation and cell phone devices from view when not in your vehicle
• Mount CD and MP3 players inconspicuously
• If you have a garage, use it, and lock your car
• Never hide a spare key in your car. Thieves know where to look.
• In the Town of Milton leaving a vehicle unattended with the engine running is illegal under the By-Law and could result in a $75 fine.

For more crime prevention ideas visit the Halton Regional Police Services web site at www.haltonpolice.ca and follow link to Community Policing.

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