More than 25 arrests and 80 recommended charges are the net result of the Vancouver Police Department doubling down on efforts to curb theft from vehicles in the downtown core.
A marked jump in theft reports from November 2016 to November 2017 — 892 to 1,238 — was the VPD’s precursor to launching the year-end initiative, which ramped up monitoring of parking locations known to be targeted by property crime offenders.
As the holiday season approached, suspects were monitored and arrested after the necessary evidence was collected. A VPD news release notes that many of those suspects were alleged repeat offenders and committing additional offences: being in possession of stolen property and breaching court imposed conditions.
“This project focused on parking lots in the downtown core where we’ve seen the highest number of theft reports,” Const. Jason Doucette said in a news release. “Theft from auto is a preventable crime and we all have a role to play in decreasing the number of break-ins. We watched suspects go from car to car in search of property. Do not leave anything visible in your vehicle.”
Police are reminding Vancouverites to familiarize themselves with GeoDash, an interactive mapping tool intended to enhance community awareness of policing activity in Vancouver.
