Windsor’s vehicle theft problem: 80 vehicle-related thefts in 15 days

As winter approaches, some Windsorites may want to get some extra layers — but not the kind to combat cold weather.

It’s layers of protection — for their vehicles — that might be necessary, as data shows vehicle theft or theft from vehicles occur four times more in Windsor than they do in other cities.

CrimeReports, a website and system used by participating police departments, shows between Oct. 1 and Oct. 15, there were 80 incidents of thefts from vehicles in Windsor, occurring all over the city, but concentrated in the downtown area.

That’s about five thefts per day, with most occurring between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Public Information Officer of the Windsor Police Service, Sgt. Steve Betteridge, said this may be because of thieves “taking advantage of people at work, or even people on shift work sound asleep, and it’s happening. Vehicle-related thefts in most cities analyzed by MediaPlex News occurred between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m.

“…People are breaking into vehicles because they have the opportunity to get money quickly,” says security expert.

In Ottawa, there were 96 vehicle-related thefts in the same 15 days … but Ottawa’s population is about four times that of Windsor. In Oshawa, there were just 11 cases. In Oakville — only 17.

Betteridge said Windsorites should follow the ‘Lock it or lose it’ idea, as well as keep items of value out of the vehicle.

President of Lockdown Security, Jeff Bates said “layers” of protection will help keep cars and the belongings left in them safe from theft.

“If you can park your vehicle somewhere [safe], do so. Make sure you’re not leaving valuables in the vehicle. Make sure you’re locking your doors. From there, putting a car alarm on the vehicle that has a bright visible indicator that there’s an alarm and that when it triggers it’s extremely loud,” said Bates.

Bates also recommended the use of dashboard cameras.

According to Bates, vehicle-related theft can easily become a theft of the entire vehicle.

“It really is a crime of opportunity,” said Bates. “People are breaking into vehicles because they have the opportunity to get money quickly.”

“I’m always worried about it,”

Ashley Lennox has been a resident in Windsor for several years and experienced her first vehicle theft  Thanksgiving weekend.

“It was about 6 a.m., I know it was that early because my neighbour actually woke up and heard someone come through the side of our houses,” said Lennox. “[They were] coming from my car, and he got onto his porch and was trying to get in his house. So he started yelling and screaming at him to get away and he took off.”

When Lennox got to her car, bags had been ripped open with their contents thrown about the vehicle. Chargers for her phone and some gift cards had been taken.

“I’m always worried about it, so I try to be careful about what I do leave in the car,” said Lennox.

And she always makes sure her car doors are locked.