Inspector of Operations Brent Secondiak is concerned about increasing reports of theft from motor vehicles. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Brian Konrad

Vehicles unlocked, valuables left in plain view

Thefts from vehicles increasing at ‘alarming rate’ in Medicine Hat

Sep 13, 2021 | 10:42 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — City police patrols had to deal with more reports of vehicle entries over the weekend, continuing a trend that spiked in August.

Inspector of Operations Brent Secondiak says it’s normal to see an increase in theft from motor vehicles in the summer, but he says the numbers from August were alarming to him and others with the police service.

“There was a 68 per cent increase in August of theft from motor vehicles, as opposed to July,” says Secondiak.

What’s even more concerning, is that it’s a crime of opportunity that doesn’t need to happen, as vehicles are unlocked with valuables in plain sight.

“It really provides an outlet for criminals to make money on something that’s really simple,” says Secondiak.

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“We’ve talked to some of these people, and they’ll just walk up and down streets and try a door handle, and if it’s locked they’ll move on to the next vehicle,” explains Secondiak.

“It’s kind of like leaving a plate of honey out and complaining when wasps or bees come to your picnic; it’s just best to remove that from the equation,” according to Secondiak.

He says there’s no particular area of the city where this is happening, but it varies from week to week.

Police do adjust weekly enforcement on areas where there appears to be a trend, but if people would lock their vehicle, remove valuables and take the keys, it would allow police resources to be allocated elsewhere.