Auto Theft Down In Prince George
By 250 News
Thursday, October 16, 2008 04:00 AM
Prince George, B.C.- The province is declaring success with its efforts to reduce auto theft. New stats indicate the car-theft rate continues to plummet in the province, falling 45 per cent across B.C. from the levels recorded in 2003.
Programs like the bait car, (first introduced in 2003) immobilizer technology, integrated road safety units, the Air One helicopter and other crime prevention activities are being credited with reducing the number of car thefts across B.C. to 6,700 in the first six months of 2008 from 12,100 in the first six months of 2003.
For Prince George, the stats show an impressive reduction:
|
Year
|
Thefts
|
Jan-June 2008 Thefts
|
Difference
|
|
Jan-June 2003
|
250
|
170
|
-32%
|
|
Jan-June 2007
|
230
|
170
|
-26%
|
In Prince George, the success is being linked to the special crime reduction unit at the Prince George RCMP detachment. The 6 person crime reduction unit focuses its efforts on vehicle theft, Break and enters, and prolific offenders. Constable Gary Godwin says the unit can also be credited with reducing break and enters in the City.
Bait vehicles were first introduced in the city last year and bait vehicles remain in the Prince George area.
Regionally, there has still been a reduction, however, the drop for what is called the North Central Region, is not as dramatic:
|
Year
|
Thefts
|
Jan-June 2008 Thefts
|
Difference
|
|
Jan-June 2003
|
460
|
430
|
-7%
|
|
Jan-June 2007
|
450
|
430
|
-4%
|
“The statistics show clearly that car thieves are getting the message: steal a bait car, go to jail,” said Sgt. Gord Elias of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT). “With the flexibility and growth of the bait-car program and other approaches, car thieves should know that it’s not a matter of if, but when we’re going to catch them.”
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Posted by: jonnypg on October 16 2008 8:09 AM