Airdrie RCMP are once again reminding the community that they have a crucial role to play when it comes to reducing crimes of opportunity.

As the temperature drops, many will be tempted to leave their vehicles running to defrost and heat up. Earlier this month on November 7, police advised the public not to leave their vehicles running unattended with keys in the ignition, giving potential thieves an easier target for car thefts.

This past Tuesday (November 14), RCMP patrols in Coopers and Bayside noticed 89 vehicles left running. Some of those vehicles had been started with a remote starter, but many were not.

That's prompted RCMP to again advise Airdronians to guard themselves against crime by not leaving keys in their cars while they warm. The RCMP say even locking your vehicle is not a safe option, as would be thieves can break a window or punch out a lock and drive away.

According to the RCMP, the best option is to use a remote car starter. If that is not possible, you should wait in your car while it warms up, or at the very least not leave your vehicle unattended.

Police also say they continue to get a number of calls that vehicles have been rummaged through at night. That can be avoided by double checking that you lock your cars before you go into your house.

 

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