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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.