Photo credit to Alberta Motor Association.
With Alberta having the second-highest rate of thefts-from-vehicles in Canada last year, the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) is urging Central Albertans to secure their vehicles as the holiday shopping season ramps up.
In 2023, Alberta saw 28,336 vehicle thefts, highlighting the vulnerability of leaving valuables in sight or failing to lock a car.
AMA Vice President Jeff Kasbrick warns that "theft from vehicles is often a crime of opportunity, so prevention is key."
This is particularly crucial during the holidays when thieves target gifts, documents, and other valuable items left unattended.
Kasbrick emphasized that common items like shopping bags, loose change, and even documents containing personal information—like vehicle registration and insurance papers—are major draws for criminals.
When these documents are stolen, they can lead to even more serious crimes, including home break-ins, if a garage door opener is also taken.
To help prevent these thefts, AMA is sharing simple yet effective tips for local shoppers:
- Always lock your car doors, even when parked for just a minute.
- Never leave your keys in the vehicle, even if it's warming up.
- Park in well-lit areas and keep your garage doors locked.
- Keep all valuables out of sight, and remove them from your car altogether when possible.
- Don’t leave important documents like insurance papers in your vehicle.
Kasbrick encourages residents to take these precautions, saying, "While it may feel inconvenient to take them, property or identity theft is far more disruptive and stressful."
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