Toronto Police Service (TPS) has a new recommendation for vehicle owners: leave your car key fobs near your front door to make it easier for thieves to steal them. TPS Constable Marco Ricciardi shared this advice with concerned residents at the Etobicoke civic center, addressing recent spikes in thefts, according to CityNews.
Ricciardi emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety by preventing potential violent break-ins. He suggested that it’s better to lose your car than to risk losing your life, a sentiment supported by Phoebe Knight on blogTO.
This advice from Ricciardi is part of TPS’s response to escalating criminal activity. The Toronto Police Association, the union representing Toronto police officers, launched a campaign on Twitter requesting budget increases due to extended response times for emergency calls. This plea attracted criticism for potentially informing criminals of police limitations and suggesting a lack of law enforcement, as reported by blogTO.
Car thefts in Toronto have risen nearly 40% between 2022 and 2023, with a vehicle being stolen every six minutes in Canada. The financial impact of these thefts exceeds $700 million, according to reports cited by blogTO.
The Canadian Finance and Leasing Association’s president and CEO, Michael Rothe, highlighted the prevalence of vehicle theft and emphasized the need for strategies to combat this issue. One Toronto resident took a unique approach to deter thieves by leaving a note on her car window, inviting potential robbers to find the door unlocked instead.
Overall, TPS’s advice highlights the urgency of addressing car thefts and promoting safety measures to protect both property and lives in Toronto.
