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
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
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.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.