St. Albert RCMP found a handful of cars at risk of disappearing during a province-wide operation at the end of January.
Officers based in detachments across Alberta took to parking lots and commercial areas between Jan. 20 and 24 looking for vehicles left idling and unattended or even unlocked.
In St. Albert, Mounties found 17 vehicles locked but idling with keys in the ignition and three who left their cars unlocked and running.
“In total, officers engaged with nine vehicle owners and handed out 27 information pamphlets to help educate residents about safeguarding their vehicles during the winter months,” Const. MJ Burroughs wrote in an email.
Provice-wide, officers found 504 vehicles idling with keys in, and 1,277 cars and trucks running with keys, though locked. Alberta Mounties spoke to 625 people and handed out 1,128 pamplets.
"This campaign was a great chance to meet with community members and remind them that as temperatures dip, leaving a vehicle unattended can lead to it being stolen by opportunistic thieves who can then travel to commit additional crimes," Cpl. Mike Black, Alberta RCMP Auto Theft unit, said in a separate news release.
"By following simple tips, such as using a remote starter, remaining in the vehicle as it warms up, and remembering that vehicles with push starts can be driven without a key present, theft of vehicles can be reduced."
