AUTO OWNERS NOT GETTING IT

There are only so many ways police can get the point across to drivers
not to leave valuables in their vehicles.

That applies when leaving your car for any length of time - downtown,
in a park and especially in your driveway.

Historically, thefts from vehicles have often been related to the drug
trade. Frequently, thieves have stolen CDs, wallets, loose change,
sunglasses and anything else they perceive to be of value from a
vehicle to sell for enough money to secure their next hit.

That may still be going on - perhaps more so in downtown and urban
areas than in the suburbs.

But the suburbs are seeing more of a increase because people who rely
on thievery are moving further afield to find goodies for the taking.

Enterprising thieves are already known to canvas an area looking for
certain items and potentially hit numerous vehicles in one stretch,
whether that's a day or a week.

The Harbour City is not immune - RCMP received complaints of 14
vehicle break-ins in north Nanaimo neighbourhoods between June 19-23.

That's because the culture of locking away one's valuables is more
ingrained when drivers head into the city than in the suburban
residential areas being hit these days.

The best defence is making your street unattractive for thieves to
work. Keep any eye on both your vehicle and your neighbourhood.

Take note of suspicious people or activities and report them to
police.

You may think your neighbourhood is safe - until you fall victim to a
crime.

It's just common sense to keep valuables out of sight - or not in your
vehicle at all.