As part of a wider provincial initiative, Waterloo Regional Police Service will receive $687,000 over three years to help combat and prevent auto thefts in the region.
“We are grateful that the Ontario government recognizes the need to fund and support provincial policing initiatives that target the rising number of auto thefts in our region and throughout the province,” said police chief Mark Crowell in a news release. “Incidents of auto theft can affect a victim’s sense of safety and security and this funding will allow us to increase our enforcement and proactive initiatives aimed at combating this crime and bringing those responsible to justice.”
Just this week a 24-year-old Brant County man was arrested and is facing a number of charges after Waterloo police arrested him in connection to vehicle reprogramming thefts in Cambridge. Four newer-model vehicles were stolen in one night by thieves.
According to data provided by the WRPS crime map, there have been 1,188 occurrences of car theft year-to-date in 2023. Cambridge has the most car thefts of any other city in the region with 393 followed by Kitchener with 391.
In all of 2022, there were 1,311 reported occurrences of vehicle theft.
“Auto theft is a significant issue in our province, especially when coupled with increasing acts of violence,” said Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South – Hespeler. “I’m pleased that our government is providing our local police service with additional resources to investigate and charge the individuals responsible.”
The funding is part of the government’s new Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant program designed to support new and enhanced crime-flighting measures that focus on prevention, detection, analysis, and enforcement. In total, 21 police projects across the province are receiving funding for a total investment of $18 million over three years in the fight against auto theft.
“I am pleased to see this investment in our police service as vehicle thefts are a growing problem in our community,” said Cambridge MPP Brian Riddell in the release. “As with all crimes, vehicle thefts cause hardship for victims and I’m confident this funding will allow police to successfully crack down on these incidents.”
Over the past few years police have been warning about tech savvy thieves and reprograming thefts.
Police note that suspects will approach the vehicle and force entry inside. Once inside the vehicle, an electronic device is used to access the diagnostics. The suspects then reprogram a blank key fob so the vehicle can be started.
“Every 14 minutes a vehicle is stolen in Ontario and this investment will give police services the tools they need to successfully fight auto theft across the province,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This grant will enable police services to work with law enforcement and logistics partners to enhance prevention, improve investigations and gather evidence to hold criminals accountable.”
Police also warn to be extra vigilant during the winter and to never leave your vehicle running and unattended.
