Image from LPS

By Connor Gunn

Operation Cold Start

LPS launch campaign to bring awareness of vehicle thefts

Jan 30, 2022 | 5:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service along with other law enforcement agencies across the province are looking to raise awareness for the number of vehicle thefts.

What’s being called Operation Cold Start is an initiative organized by the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police. While cold weather brings many challenges for drivers it also provides opportunities for would-be thieves, as vehicles are often left unattended and idling to warm up.

The initiative starts Monday, January 31, 2022, LPS says this program is needed throughout the winter months.

“Alberta has the highest per capita auto theft rate in Canada, and about 25 per cent of stolen vehicles in the province were left idling,” the release reads.

This past December, 31 vehicles were reported stolen in Lethbridge. That was up from December of 2020, in which 26 vehicles were stolen, and also an increase of nine from November of 2021.

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In all, there were 244 vehicles reported stolen in 2021, compared with 224 in 2020 and 274 in 2019.

LPS will also make additional resources available to allow uniformed officers to look for unattended idling vehicles to determine if they are unlocked and/or have the keys in the ignition.

“If the owner is nearby, they’ll work to educate them on the various ways they can reduce the likelihood of being victimized,” the LPS release reads.

“If the owner cannot be located, a pamphlet will be left on the vehicle outlining how to prevent warm-up thefts including the use of a remote starter or the need to stay with their vehicle while it warms up, using a steering wheel lock and removing garage door openers from unattended vehicles to reduce the opportunity for thieves to also target their homes,” LPS adds.