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
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
TSB concludes investigation into cause of London, Ont. freight train fire
More than two weeks after a freight train with several railcars ablaze rolled through the heart of the Forest City, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has concluded its investigation.