Stampede bait cars to deter thieves

Vehicle thieves preying on Calgary Stampede patrons will have to watch out for bait cars left out by police.

The bait car program uses cars that may be locked, left with the keys in the ignition or even left running. Once a thief takes off with the vehicle, it's tracked by officers who can shut it off by remote control when they're ready to move in for an arrest.

Bait cars will be left in the downtown core and in parking lots near the Stampede grounds which are expected to see increased parking and vehicle traffic, said police on Wednesday.

The Stampede runs July 9-18 this year.

Police said its bait car program has seen much success since it was introduced in 2008. Overall, the rate of auto thefts in Calgary is down 13 per cent from 2009, said officials.

Bait cars have been used in neighbourhoods with high rates of vehicle theft as well as in park-and-ride lots.

About 40 per cent of vehicles that are stolen are done so using a key, said police, reminding drivers to never leave their keys inside their vehicles, and to hide valuables out of sight or take them with you.