How to Protect Your Vehicle from Break-ins
- Don’t leave personal identification, vehicle registration or insurance certificates, or credit cards in your vehicle.
- Remove valuables and shopping bags from view. This includes loose change and electronic devices such as Ipods, cell phones and GPS navigation systems.
- Never leave your vehicle running and unattended.
- Always close windows all the way and lock the doors.
- Park in well lit areas with pedestrian traffic. Park your vehicle facing the street. Anyone tampering with it is more likely to be seen.
- Engrave your vehicle registration number on the stereo system, wheel rims, tools, etc.
- Don’t hide spare keys in your vehicle — they can be found. And never put your name or address on your house or car keys.
- If you have a garage, use it. Lock both the vehicle and garage.
- Consider installing anti-theft devices.
Check out the links below for more information and tips from the Ottawa Police on how to protect your vehicle from theft:
https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/safety-and-crime-prevention/theft-from-vehicles.aspx
https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/safety-and-crime-prevention/Prevent-Theft-From-Vehicles.aspx
Get an “All Valuables Removed” Warning Card
The “All Valuables Removed” warning cards are designed to remind vehicle owners they have an active part to play in preventing these crimes. Vehicles targeted include those left unattended in high-volume areas, those with valuables visible, and those located in areas identified by the police as particularly vulnerable to theft.
The cards are displayed by vehicle owners on the inside of the driver’s side window to display the message, “All Valuables Removed” – letting would-be-thieves know not to bother searching the vehicle and alerting others to take the same precautions.
What to do if your vehicle is broken into:
Report the theft to the police online or by calling 613-236-1222 ext 7300. The police will need a complete description of your vehicle:
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Colour
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Plate number
- Ignition key number
- Insurance company
- Policy number
- Telephone
- Any outstanding features, dents, scratches
- Contents of the vehicle (e.g., stereo system)