CHILLIWACK TAKES THE BAIT

Chilliwack's drug trade could take a huge hit with this week's inception of
B.C.'s popular bait car program.

On Thursday morning, RCMP and CIBC officials joined local dignitaries on the
court house steps to laud Chilliwack's participation in the program-which
equips autos with GPS tracking devices, ignition immobilizers and hidden
cameras in order to track and catch car thieves.

Developed in Minnesota, the program hit Vancouver's streets in October 2002,
and resulted in a substantial decline in auto thefts. Consequently, ICBC is
now paying for bait cars to be sent to Squamish, Chilliwack and most
communities in between.

As a testament to the program's success, Const. Tim Shields brought one bait
car-a late model silver import-and invited mayor Clint Hames to step inside.
Immediately after Hames opened the door, an operator from ECOMM (the RCMP's
B.C. dispatch headquarters) reported the activity through an officer's
radio. All of Hames' actions were reported-and recorded by hidden on-board
video cameras. The mayor started the car, but the operator killed the
engine. Following a request, the car was once again enabled. The
lighthearted demonstration was quick and seamless and provided a glimpse at
a car thief's worst nightmare.

"A bait car can be any make and model, any year and placed anywhere in the
area," Superintendent Bud Mercer said.

"Thieves won't know they're in a bait car until it's too late."

Mercer expects the program to decrease Chilliwack's crime rates in more
areas than one. According to police research, the average car thief is a
28-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record and an addiction to
methamphetamines. It's auto theft's close connection to drugs that has
Mercer especially excited.

Often, stolen autos are used in break and enters, robberies and drug
trafficking. Once their purpose is served, they're dumped and the cycle
repeats itself.

"Auto theft is another symptom in organized crime," Mercer said, suggesting
serious criminals are more apt to become violent and reckless when
confronted by police.

"It's changed over the last couple of years. When we engage with the stolen
vehicles car thieves have become increasingly more aggressive."

Following his hands-on experience, Hames agreed with Mercer's connection
between auto theft and more serious crimes.

"This is a huge step towards taking the ladder out from under people who are
going up the criminal ranks," he said.

Cars used for the program will be circulated throughout the area to avoid
detection. Media liaison Cpl. Sean Sullivan and ICBC spokesman Mike
Weightman both urged drivers to use immobilization and steering wheel
locking devices.