Calgary riding rise in car thefts

Crime is down in Calgary with one notable exception – car thefts are up for the second year in a row.

So far this year, 1,914 vehicles were stolen or almost stolen, up 27 per cent from this time last year. By the end of 2006, police counted 7,179 vehicle thefts or attempted thefts, compared to 4,997 in 2005.

Staff Sgt. Colin Adairsaid Wednesday it's tough to say why there has been an increase, butvehicles are usually stolen as transportation or to commit other crimes.

"Typically car thieves will steal vehicles that they are familiar with. They steal those vehicles because they can get in the vehicle, start it up and drive away in a veryshort period of time."

Adair says Calgarians can protect themselves by removing valuables from their vehicles,making sure they are locked, and installing alarms.

Jason Warren, whoinstalls car alarms, saidthey are a good deterrent, especially for older vehicles.

"Lots of older cars are really easy to break into. Just older technology. Some you can just get into with a flat headed screwdriver."

Adair said police hope to roll out a new strategy to combat car theft as early as the fall, and thatplan could include the use of bait cars to deter thieves.

The bait cars are equipped so police can pinpoint their location, and they can kill the engine by remote control.The vehicles' video cameras are activated when a door is opened, providing important evidence.