Here's how to beef up the security on your vehicle
With criminals using technology to steal cars, owners are modifying their vehicles to help prevent theft with tracking devices and immobilizers, which can stop a thief in their tracks.
It’s the loud and blaring sound, no car thief wants to hear.
"And once he gets in the vehicle, the vehicle does not start…a lot of noise, it won’t move, it won’t start," says Aidan Derouchie of Derand Motorsports.
The Ottawa business installs devices wired directly into your car, which Derand says not only immobilize the car, but also alerts the owner of an attempted theft on devices such as a smart watch.
"It notifies me immediately," customer Shamim Arefin tells CTV News Ottawa.
Arefin had the technology installed in his Lexus. It’s an SUV he loves, but so do the criminals.
"I was afraid and at some point I became paranoid, like what should I do with my car?" he says.
With reports of cars stolen from his neighbourhood on an east Ottawa Facebook group, he had an immobilizer, alarm, and GPS tracker installed in his car,
"Now I’m feeling so much more confident that if I go to a mall or anywhere my car will be secure."
It is equipment that Derouchie says is more secure than what comes standard with the car.
"Previous to May, we were doing one to two a month. Now, just a couple weeks ago, we actually did 10 in one week, and were continually going up from there," he says.
"All of the products that are on the market basically help prevent it from getting stolen."
Derouchie says systems start at $699, but can go as high as $2,600. While he says nothing is 100 per cent thief-proof, it’s all about creating layers of security.
"We call it a layered approach; the more that you can do to make it more difficult and have the criminals need to spend more time,” says Bryan Gast, Equite Association, vice-president investigative services.
“2022 was a bad year for vehicle theft in Canada, in Ontario in particular. In 2023, so far, is proving to be just as problematic - if not worse," Gast says.
Arefin says his investment in the technology makes him "feel so much more relaxed now and confident."
Derouchie says Derand Motorsports offer theft deterrents designed to help stop thieves from targeting vehicles, which include:
- Glass breakage sensors
- Door opening alarms
- Engine Bypass and engine disable devices
- OBD lock ports
- Immobilizer devices
- Steering wheel locks
- GPS tracking systems
- Tilt sensors
- Jeep Wrangler hood locks
- Key fob battery deactivators
- Catalytic converter locks
- 2-way communication to your smartphone and your remotes
- Factory horn/siren relocation
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.