on the increase in B.C. THE NUMBER of thefts from unattended automobiles is increasing each year and authorities are cautioning motorists to lock up their cars and not leave valuables in- side the car, particularly if they’re visible from outside. In the five-year period from 1985 to 1990, the number of thefts from automobiles in British Col- umbia rose a staggering 80% ac- cording to ICBC claim records. In the one-year period from 1989 to 1990, the number of thefts from automobiles rose [0% from 36,402 to 40,051, representing more than $17 million in claims. The picture on the North Shore looks somewhat better. The number of theft claims reported on the North Shore actually dropped from 2,507 in 1989 to 2,314 in 1990. However, local fig- ures are somewhat misleading because I.orth Shore motorists can report thefts that happened here in other localities. Converse- ly, non-North Shore residents may report thefts that happened somewhere else, here. The actual number of thefts from automobiles is even higher than that reported by ICBC because ICBC statistics do not in- clude items not covered by automobile insurance. “Remember, we’re only talking about those things covered by your automobile insurance, like stereos,”’ says Ken Hardie, Man- ager of ICBC’s Public Informa- tion Department, ‘...it doesn't cover things like your camera, your drycleaning, your groceries or Christmas presents. That’s general insurance, another whole issue.”” Hardie doesn’t believe the in- crease in thefts is due to a popula- tion increase in the Lower Mainland. ‘‘We haven’t seen the percentage of people with com- prehensive coverage going up that much. But crime is increasing.’’ According to the RCMP, most thieves are in the business of reselling their booty. ‘‘For every thief, there is somebody to sup- port his habit,’’ explains Con- stabie R. White, crime prevention officer of the North Vancouver RCMP detachment. “A lot of stereos are sold before they’re even stolen." Heritage walk set AS PART of North Vancouver’s annual Folkfest, there will be a heritage walking tour of Grand Boulevard in the City of North Vanconver on Sunday, June 23. The tour will fook at Grand Boulevard in terms of what the original developers had in mind for the area, the heritage houses that remain, and the importance of the area in the City’s heritage prograni. Leading the tour will be John Stuart, curator of the North Shore Museum and Archives and member of the City of North Vancouver Heritave Advisory Committee. The walk will begin at the cast corner of Grand Boulevard and 16th Street at 2 p.m. As a special treat participants will be invited into one of the heritage houses tor tea atthe conclusion of the walk. Organizers say the tour will last approximately two hours and everyone is welcome, rain or shine. AUTOMOTION The most commen items stolen from automobiles include radios, cassette players, CD players, cellular telephones, radar detec- tors, and loose items such as mag wheels, fog fights, and badges are also popular. “They just open the door,’’ says Hardie. ‘‘Many people don’t lock their vehicles.”” Paradoxically, owners of con- vertibles often leave their cars unfocked deliberately because thev’d rather have the thief enter voluntarily than slit the vinyl ton open. “Owners look at it this way: by letting them have access and let- ung them see there’s nothing to steal, they’re less likely to damage the car,"* says White. Technology is helping to thwart thieves. Many new stereos are equipped with a program deter- rent, a device that disables a radio if the electrical connection is disrupted. “The thief knows that once they’re out, they’re useless,’’ says White. ‘‘Unless the thief knows the access code, it will not operate anywhere else. They’re basically just a piece of metal." While Constable White endorses alarms to deter thieves, he has some reservations. ‘‘Car alarms do frighten thieves away, but © they’re likely to upset your neighbors. Some can be set off by kicking the tires, or pushing the car.” 44 In the five year period from 1985 to 1990, the number of thefts from automobiles in British Columbia rose a Staggering 80% according to ICBC claim records. 99 A high percentage of thefts take place in underground garages. ‘It offers the thief protection,’’ says Constable White. ‘‘He (the thief) is out of view, and can’t be heard from outside, plus he can hear others coming before they can hear him. If a thief hears the se- curity gate opening, he can hide until the people go inside.” Thieves often smash the window glass or force the door open to gain entry, but one of the most common types of unauthorized entry is much simpler. Not exacth as Hustrated A cheap and simple deterrent to ear thieves is to inscribe your driver’s licence number on a pro- minent place on the front of the stereo. This makes it more dif- ficult to sell and less likely to be stolen. The North Vancouver RCMP's AutoMark engraving program is available free of charge to groups and organizations that request it simply by calling the community policing/crime prevention department of the RCMP. 7-Passenger, V6 Automatic, AM/FM Cassette, Rear ABS Brakes, Dual Remote, Power Mirrors, Wipers, Tilt, RW Wi Friday, June 21, 1991 — North Shore News - 29 {| Theits from automobiles Sn 19? S 8 IGILYBURN HYLINDAL wero, Where The Smart Money Goes. SALE PRICE—LIMITED TIME OFFER ASK FOR DETAILS 987-4458 LUS PDI & FRT. $350 EACH PLUS OPTIONS NET OF ALL FACOTRY REBATES & PROMOTIONS NORTH SHORE MAZDA. 11 JUST FEELS RIGHT! 700 BLOCK MARINE DRIVE (BEWICKE & MARINE NORTH VANCOUVER Rear Heater, er, All Season Radials. Z andi Albury. service Manager Seals. 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