Port Alberni RCMP Inspector Brian Hunter says the opioid crisis is the leading factor for the skyrocketting theft rates.
While general thefts were up by 81%, thefts from vehicles were up 135%, going from 39 cases in the third quarter of 2018, to 92 in the same period this year.
Hunter says part of the responsibility lies with vehicle owners
“We’ve interviewed these criminals after arrest, and they tell us in a matter of 10 minutes they’ll go up and down a street, they’ll check 100 door handles on vehicles and if a vehicle is left unlocked and the will steal anything,” he said. “Even if it’s worth a dollar they’re going to be taking it. So, remove your valuables and lock your vehicle and those numbers will go down dramatically because they’ll be nothing for them to steal.”
Hunter suggests getting into a routine, where at 9 o’clock every night, you go around your property and make sure vehicles are locked and your property is secured.
Hunter told city council that arresting people isn’t going to solve the problem, as governments need to invest in mental health and rehabilitation programs, and citizens need to not provide easy thefts by leaving vehicles unlocked.
