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Initiatives Being Taken to Combat Auto Theft
Recent decreases in police-reported motor vehicle theft may be due to the implementation of specialized policies and programs by many police services, insurance companies and governments.
Winnipeg’s rate has either been the highest or among the highest in Canada since 1992. They have developed comprehensive prevention strategies to address automobile theft. In 2005, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) announced a bold new plan to theft-proof up to 90 per cent of Winnipeg vehicles within five years. The program rewards vehicle owners who help to reduce auto theft in Manitoba by protecting their vehicles with approved immobilizers. Manitoba Public Insurance will pay for the cost of a standard aftermarket immobilizer for any Most-at-Risk vehicle. The owner is only responsible for any additional costs for work related to the installation, and financing for these costs is available with no interest.
The Winnipeg Auto Theft Suppression Strategy is a partnership between Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Justice and the Winnipeg Police Service that targets chronic and repeat young offenders. This strict monitoring and curfew program includes mandatory daily interviews for the worst offenders and checks as frequent as every three hours. The WATSS team routinely makes as many as 8,000 contacts per month with individuals in the program.
Other police services throughout various regions of Canada have operated the Bait Car Program which uses police-owned decoy vehicles that, if stolen, can be monitored through surveillance and GPS tracking. Watch footage of a Bait Car in action. Another initiative in British Columbia, called Project No Free Ride, recovers the financial costs associated with auto theft through civil litigation of persons responsible (ICBC, 2006).
Most provinces have established task forces that work in partnership with police and auto insurance companies to combat motor vehicle theft, particularly in relation to organized crime operations as well as youth offenders.
Auto insurance companies in several provinces are also working towards reducing motor vehicle theft. Some companies now offer financial incentives to customers who have an electronic immobilizer or another anti-theft device installed in their vehicle (IBC, n.d.).
Both federal and provincial governments have responded to the issue of motor vehicle theft. On September 1, 2007, a new federal regulation took effect requiring Canadian automobile manufacturers to equip all new cars, vans, light trucks and SUVs with an electronic immobilizer (Transport Canada, 2007). In April 2009, the Federal Government announced new legislation to tackle automobile theft and property crime:
- Government of Canada introduces legislation to tackle auto theft and property crime (news release, April 21, 2009)
- Legislation - Bill C-26 (passed by the House of Commons on June 16, 2009)
