Operation Cold Start: Officers patrol communities to educate drivers on warm-up thefts

The Calgary Police Service is starting Operation Cold Start on Thursday in order to educate citizens about warm-up thefts — a crime where thieves target vehicles that are left running and unattended.

According to a release, police say these thefts contribute to the high rates of auto theft in Calgary, as well as create significant risks to public safety.

The annual initiative was first conducted in December 2016, and sends officers into communities to find unattended vehicles left running. Afterwards, officers educate the driver about how quickly vehicles can be stolen.

"We're looking for that kind of crime of opportunity where citizens are really not thinking crimes prevention or stolen vehicles. They're focused on warming up their vehicles or perhaps running into the store quickly," said Sgt. Graeme Smiley on Thursday.

Police say that in November 2019, there were 80 vehicles stolen while left running by Calgarians and that in the first nine months of 2018, 4,546 passenger vehicles were stolen throughout Calgary — approximately 17 per day.

"In particular in the very early morning hours and under darkness in the short days of wintertime, people have the feeling that their neighbourhood is quiet and safe and would not be the target of criminals…Criminals are looking out for these quiet neighbourhoods in suburbia and simply driving up and down streets looking for those vehicles that are left running, and the crime of opportunity really only takes a matter of seconds," said Smiley.

Auto theft offenders routinely engage in high-risk criminal driving behaviour, have little regard for the safety of Calgarians, and do not care if a vehicle becomes damaged or involved in a collision, reads the release.

Police add that more than 41 per cent of all stolen vehicles that have been recovered in 2019 were reported to be damaged or involved in a collision.

Reminders

Citizens who are planning to warm up their vehicle are reminded to:

• Never leave a running vehicle unattended, if the keys are inside the vehicle or if the vehicle has been started with a keyless ignition or push-button start.
• Use a remote starter whenever possible and keep your vehicle locked.
• If you are warming up your vehicle with the keys in the ignition or with a push-button start, stay with your vehicle.
• Use a steering wheel lock to deter thieves.
• Never leave spare keys or garage door openers in or around your vehicle.
• Never leave children or pets in a running vehicle.
• Do not leave valuables, including identity documents and bank cards, in a vehicle.
• Report suspicious activity to police immediately by calling 403-266-1234 or 911 for crimes in progress.