Here are some tips on how to prevent your car from getting stolen
Increased car thefts have become a new reality in the capital, with an average of six car thefts per day since the start of the year.
Here’s what police want you to do to prevent your car from getting stolen, while they continue to navigate through the challenge:
- 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.
- Install an engine control module 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.
- Use a steering wheel lock 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. Please report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222. Call 9-1-1 to report a crime in progress.
What are the hot spots for car thefts in Ottawa?
Statistics on the Ottawa Police Service crime map shows 221 vehicles have been reported stolen in Ottawa since Jan. 1, police note that the Bay ward and River ward are the hot spots for vehicle thefts in the capital. More than 45 vehicles have been stolen in the past seven days.
The crime map shows at least one vehicle has been stolen from all 24 wards across Ottawa in the first six weeks of the year.
Bay ward has the highest number of vehicle thefts reported, with 23 vehicle thefts so far in 2024. There have been 18 vehicle thefts in River ward, 17 thefts in Rideau-Vanier, 16 vehicles stolen in Gloucester-Southgate and 15 vehicles reported stolen in Beacon Hill-Cyrville.
At least 10 vehicles have been reported stolen in each of Orleans East-Cumberland, Orleans West-Innes, Barrhaven West, Rideau-Rockcliffe, Somerset and Alta Vista wards.
The federal government says an estimated 90,000 cars are stolen annually in Canada, resulting in about $1 billion in costs to Canadian insurance policyholders and taxpayers. The government says most stolen vehicles are destined for Africa and the Middle East. It hosted a daylong summit on Thursday to discuss ways to address vehicle thefts across the country.
Ottawa police reported 1,854 vehicles were reported stolen in 2023, up from 1,289 vehicles in 2022.
With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Child under 5 dies of measles in Ontario: PHO
A young child has died of measles in the province, a new surveillance report from Public Health Ontario confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
NEW 'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
Most Canadians support abortion, one-third see Tories as least supportive: poll
Eight in 10 Canadians back a woman's right to an abortion and two in three don't want the notwithstanding clause used to restrict access to abortions, a new poll suggests.