Want a warm vehicle? 'So do thieves,' Edmonton police warn
Already nearly 170 vehicles left idling have been stolen in Edmonton this year, and police are warning the number will climb without a change in behaviour.
Edmonton Police Service is kicking off "Operation Cold Start," a program that will see officers patrol neighbourhoods, watching for empty vehicles left idling and unlocked. They'll then talk to the owner.
“It is an unfortunate reality of living in a winter city - people want to sit in a warm vehicle,” said Const. Brett Earley of EPS' community engagement team.
“We get it, unfortunately so do thieves."
In 2020, 297 idling vehicles were stolen, up from 283 in 2019.
According to police data, most thefts take place on weekdays during peak commuting times.
“Not only are thieves stealing your vehicle, they’re often using your ride to conduct other violent crimes throughout our city,” Earley added. “It’s a terrible inconvenience and expense to have your car stolen. It’s a lifetime of regret knowing your stolen vehicle was used to seriously hurt or even kill an innocent civilian during another criminal offence.”
Idling vehicles are most frequently stolen in downtown and central neighbourhoods.
WHAT TO DO
Alberta Motor Association's driver education manager says the best option is to have command start.
"The best way is just not to have keys in the vehicle as it's warming up if you are going to leave it, so that’s why it’s good to have something with a timed cycle on it so it’s not running any longer than 10 to 15 minutes," Ryan Lemont told CTV News Edmonton.
He also recommends using a block heater on the coldest nights, which will both help the engine and the vehicle warm up faster.
But otherwise, he notes warming up a vehicle is more about comfort than anything else.
"The engine itself is operating at very low efficiency and so you’re basically just warming it up for those comfort features."
He reminded Albertans vehicles should not be run in an attached garage. If in a detached garage, he says to open the garage door enough to avoid a build up of carbon monoxide.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.