900 vehicles stolen in Ottawa so far in 2024: Here are the hot spots for thefts

Gloucester-Southgate is the hot spot for vehicle thefts in Ottawa in 2024, with 95 vehicles reported stolen in the south Ottawa ward so far this year.

Statistics on the Ottawa Police Service's crime map shows 929 vehicles have been reported stolen so far in Ottawa in 2024, including 77 in the first 21 days of July.

Ottawa police say the numbers reported this year now also include calls such as joyrides and thefts of opportunity, and not only vehicle thefts that are linked to organized crime. 

Police reported 504 vehicles stolen in the first six months of 2023, and 387 vehicle thefts between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2022.

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At least one vehicle has been stolen in all 24 wards across Ottawa this year.

Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs told reporters Monday that while numbers are rising in Ottawa, police have been successful in arresting car thieves. 

"We have had a number of operations where we have located stolen vehicles and arrested a number of people," Stubbs said. "And not only those people who are driving the stolen vehicle, but those who are supporting those people and we've managed to locate and arrest them, too."

The Ottawa Police Service tells CTV News Ottawa that, year-to-date, it has had a 55 per cent recovery rate for all reported vehicle thefts.

Stubbs said officers are focusing on known hot spots, which has meant police can sometimes quickly find a car after it's been reported stolen.

"Our frontline folks are doing a lot of proactive patrols and it's where we've had some success," he said. "An owner discovers their vehicle is missing, so they call us. We've been able to respond and get that vehicle back into that driveway within a couple of hours."

Ottawa's proximity to Montreal, which is a popular destination for stolen cars, makes Ottawa more appealing for thieves, Stubbs added.

"It's quicker in and quicker out to that organized crime group that comes into town," he said.

Gloucester-Southgate has been the hardest hit by vehicle thefts so far in 2024, with 95 vehicle thefts.

Bay ward is second with 68 vehicle thefts, followed by 59 vehicles stolen in Rideau-Vanier, 53 in Orléans East-Cumberland and 52 in River ward.

The Ottawa Police Service's crime map shows where more than 900 vehicles have been reported stolen from in Ottawa so far this year. (Ottawa Police Service crime map/website)

Here is a look at the top 15 wards for reported vehicle thefts in the first seven months of 2024

• Gloucester-Southgate: 95
• Bay: 68
• Rideau-Vanier: 59
• Orléans East-Cumberland: 53
• River: 52
• Barrhaven West: 50
• Rideau-Rockcliffe: 48
• Beacon Hill-Cyrville: 47
• Alta Vista: 44
• Somerset: 44
• College: 42
• Orleans South-Navan: 39
• Riverside South-Findlay Creek: 36
• Knoxdale-Merivale: 33
• Capital: 29

(Source: Ottawa Police Service crime map)

Tips to prevent vehicle thefts

Ottawa police encourage vehicle owners to consider the following prevention measures:

• Park inside a garage if available;
• Block your vehicle in tightly against a second less sought-after vehicle;
• If you do not have a garage or second vehicle, one of the most foolproof techniques is to install an after-market vehicle immobilizer and alarm;
• Install after-market tracking devices or “GPS” – many of these have the ability to “fence in your car” notifying the owner’s smart phone if the vehicle leaves the established perimeter;
• If you use “Air Tags” do be mindful that if the thief has an Apple phone, it will advise them that the vehicle is being tracked so try and hide them within the vehicle;
• If you find an “Air Tag” in your vehicle or receive a message on your smartphone that you are being tracked please call police, as this is one means that thieves use to find a targeted vehicle. They typically return under cover of darkness to steal it;
• Install an Engine Control Module (ECM) port-lock;
• Install motion detection lights and exterior surveillance cameras at home as these can act as a deterrent;
• Keep in mind that thieves have returned to steal the replacement vehicle when a vehicle has been stolen, so remain vigilant;
• Use a steering wheel lock (i.e. “Club”) to deter thieves (keep in mind they can cut the steering wheel to remove it); it works best when combined with a secondary anti-theft device that may not be as visible to the thief;
• Neighbourhood watch is still the best defence – so please report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222. Call 911 to report a crime in progress. 

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond