t

AUTOMOBILE THEFT is
often thought of as a minor
crime, but in reality it’s a
serious problem in our
society.

Let's dispel some of the more

common myths around this
growing problem.
Myth No. ft: Only sports cars or
deluxe modeis are stolen. Who
“would want a two or three-year-
old ozdinary car?

., . Authorities report that the most

popular makes are the most likely
_Stolen ‘and the least likely recov-
vered.. Ordinary sedans are the
backbone of the lucrative stolen
used parts market and therefore
are the [east frequently recovered,
Myth No. 2: Car theft is not really
a big issue and everything is
usually. covered under insurance
anywey,

In Canada,- thieves steal a vehi-
cle every 544 minutes and 4 vehi-
cle is broken into every 30 se-

*.conds,

Car. theft. costs Canadian con-
sumers about $375 million a year

.in insurance premiums for

s,unrecovéred vehicles, damage. to

_ vehicles that are stolen and later
recovered, and items. stolen from

. Vehicles, . ;

- Pyte’ No, 3: Canada has a much
» ower auto theft rate than the
“United States. |
“- When it comes to theft on in-
sured cars, the Canadian: rate ex-
ceeds the American rate by more
than two ‘to one!- There is no
doubt that organized crime rings
are involved in the auto theft

»-market, which presents very low

risks \for thieves and generates
“-pectacular:profits.

Myth Nov 4:° Cers--are mostly
stolen for joyrides and are usually
found intact very quickly.

Statistics show that 60% of the
time authorities find the stolen

vehicle. within two.to 10 days. The.”

44 in 1991, nearly 37,500 were

stolen and not recovered.¥9

state of the recovered car depends
on what the thieves used them for.
They are rarely abandoned intact.

in 1991, nearly 37,500 vehicles
were stolen and not recovered.
Whiie automobile theft is an ur-
ban phenomena, what happens to
your car depends on where you
live in Canada.

For example, a car stofen in
Quebee is quite likely to end up in
picees in a ‘chop shop’’. The
vehicles are dismantled and the
parts are sold, often for much
more than the whole car may have
been worth, A stolen car in
Alberta would more likely be
taken for a joyride and recovered.
Myth No. 5: I don't park in dark
alleys of unsupervised parking lots
so Pm agi at risk for having my
car stolen,

Your place of residence ranks as .

the number one spot where thieves

are most likely to strike, followed

by shapping cenire parking lots.
Most people are not as sym-

‘pathetic to automobile theft vic-

tims as they are to victims of bur-
glary. .

Because they are viewed . as
non-violent crimes, automobile
thefts hardly cause a ripple.

Usually the victim is not injured
and if they are insured, they will

“be reimbursed and everything will

be back to normal.

But the reality includes the
emotional upset of victims and the
loss of irreplaceable personal

Sweats feature auto

From page 38.
‘puter peripheral.
“*We can’t keep up with the
demand, ’ says Alex Morton, :
president of the Niche Peripherals
ne.
‘Interestingly enough, because of
. the significance of this new pro-
duct to the Corvette fans, the .
Corvette Museum in Bowling
Green, Kentucky, has decided to
“display the MctorMouse alongside
the first real production Corvette.
Assembled right here in North
Vanouver, the MotcrMause also
comes with special software that
turns the normal cursor on the
computer screen to a moving car.
You can even sound the horns

’ and rev the engine — wow!

Available for about $60 at Lon- .

don Drugs and other stores. You
can call MotorMouse directly at
681-6062 for details.

Other computer related car gifts ;

you can consider include the
various racing and driving soft-
wares available.

“These softwares attempt to
mimic the real driving experience
through your. computer screen,

- and are priced from about $50.
Check out your local computer
stores.

_ APPAREL

" Various t-shirts, goif shirts, and
. sweatshirts are available through
-your loca! dealer’s parts depart-
_ment (with proper brand logos),
or at Wilkinson’s Automobilia.

Nice-looking sweats, with For-
mula One and Indy racing designs

for example, are $48.95 at the

Wilkinson’s store.

‘OTHER MISCELLANEOUS °

ITEMS

Don’t want to buy anything too
expensive or big? Consider small

items like keychains, pens, and

CAVALIER SPORT COUPE

SPOILER (NOT
SHOWN}

belongings.
Tips for preventing theft:

Several automobile manufac-
turers have introduced features
designed to reduce the incidence
of. vehicle theft. (e.g. alarms and
ultra-sonic devices, the etching of
parts and accessories, fucl cut-off
systems, etc.).

Ask your focal police and
motorists’ associations for advice
on which vehicles are the most
difficult for thieves to steal.

Here are some tips on how to
discourage car theives:

@ Don't leave your car unlocked
or with the key in the ignition.
Always pocket the keys;

@ Keep your house keys separate
from your car keys:

@® Park your car in a busy, well
lit area;

@ Do not leave valuable items or
packages in sight in your vehicle;

@ Keep your vehicle registration
in-your wallet or purse;

® Etch or mark some of the more
expensive parts on your car in an
inconspicuous place with an
engraving tool, using your car's
Vehicle . Identification Number
(VIN). On metal parts, cover the
number with cust inhibitor;

@ Install safety door feck but-
tons;

@ Always. keep your car trunk
locked; -
® Keep your windows closed
when your car is unattended;
-@ Lock your gas tank cap.

rand logos

baseball caps — available at all
dealerships.

They’re not too expensive, and
many people appreciate getting
something with their car com-
pany’s logo.on them.

Hf you just can’t figure out what
to buy, settle on gift certificates
from Canadian Tire.

Your friend will probably use it
to buy a case of engine oil.

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MARINE DRIVE

“te (Aj + (B} 36 MOS. (C} 48 MOS. SMART LEASE (TAXES EXTRA}, DOWN PAYMENT REQUIRED:
(A) $1347 {8} $1521 {C) $2125, TOTAL PAID: >: (Al $7472 (B) $9186 (C) $18,058

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