The Cobourg Police Service (CPS) wants you to pause a moment whenever you get out of your car and consider if you have done everything you can to keep it safe.
Cobourg Police Service’s Lock It or Lose It campaign encourages drivers to take precautions to protect their vehicles and vehicle’s contents from theft. Whether it is parking at work, at the store, or at home, leaving valuables in plain sight or the vehicle unlocked makes an easy target for thieves.
With this initiative, CPS auxiliary members go into the community to educate the public on crime prevention. Auxiliary officers examine parked vehicles to confirm they are locked and no valuables have been left in view. They place a small notice on vehicles that have been checked to indicate what safety precautions were neglected and to offer simple crime-prevention tips. Drivers who have secured their vehicles will receive notices congratulating them for their actions.
The campaign runs all year with a particular emphasis during the holiday season when gift purchases increase and schedules are hectic, making it easy to forget the simple steps to safeguard your vehicle from theft.
Here are some tips to protect your vehicle and its contents:
- Ensure doors are always locked and the key is in your pocket
- Park in well-lit areas
- Never leave money in plain sight
- Always roll up your car windows
- Put shopping bags and other parcels in the trunk
- Ensure GPS is put in a safe, out-of-sight location
- Keep vehicle registration certificates and proof of insurance on you
- Take electronics, including your cellphone, with you
- Don’t leave your car running unattended
- If parking in the same lot often, park in different spots each day
If you see something or someone suspicious, or had something stolen from your vehicle, report online by visiting the Cobourg Police Service website cobourgpoliceservice.com. If you are witness to an in-progress theft, please call 9-1-1 immediately.