Commentary

Public relations comes in handy for the police and ICBC when tackling auto thefts

by Charlie Smith on March 30th, 2019 at 1:36 PM
    1 of 3 2 of 3

      I used to think some of the wisest words about policing were uttered by a former Vancouver police inspector named Dave Jones.

      He once told me that the secret to crowd control was getting people to stay in the frontal lobe of their brain, where logic and reason are centred.

      That's because once the brain's limbic system takes over, all hell can break loose.

      But after yesterday's news conference trumpeting the looming arrival of Auto Crime Enforcement Month, I've concluded that perhaps the greatest secret weapon in the arsenal of police is public relations.

      It was a magnificent demonstration of how a campaign crafted in backrooms can drive down crime and save ICBC some dough.

      According to ICBC road safety vice president Steve Crombie, approximately $50 million was lost last year through vehicle thefts. Another $18 million was allocated to cover the cost of vehicle break-ins.

      Statistics show, however, that auto thefts have been on a downward spiral in the Lower Mainland, falling 20 percent from 2017 to 2018.

      Part of the reason has been the high-profile bait car program. It's operated by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team. 

      IMPACT has also distributed videos like the one below, which has been seen by more than a half-million people.

      When thieves stole this Bait Car in Abbotsford in 2014, they decided to head straight for McDonald's.

      The bait-car program was also showcased at the recent auto show in Vancouver reinforcing the message that if you steal a car, you're likely to get caught.

      This year, the baitcar.com website includes the annual Top 10 list of wanted car thieves. And it features a gallery of mugshots that are enough to convince any suburban middle-class resident to lock the doors on their vehicle at night.

      That's the message being disseminated through posters and other means.

      There's also a new phrase this year—the 9 p.m. routine—which comes with its own hashtag.

      It's unlikely that someone is actually going to get up off the couch at 9 p.m. every night, head out the front door or into the parkade, and check to ensure the vehicle is locked.

      But it's one more way of conveying to thieves that authorities are taking this crime seriously.

      Comments