Police release stolen vehicle footage to demonstrate safety impact

City police want everyone to see how dangerous stealing vehicles can be.

Every week, police respond to hundreds of stolen car reports every week that each requires multiple resources to recover and often have a considerable impact on public safety.

In 2016, there were 4,879 reported stolen vehicles, up 51 per cent from the five-year average. Typically, one in four stolen vehicles were taken with the keys inside. One morning earlier this week, 14 vehicles were stolen after being left running with the keys inside.

Aside from the dangerous driving that often occurs when a vehicle is stolen, these vehicles are also known to be used as a means to commit robberies, break and enters and drug crimes.

This HAWCS footage shows just a few examples of the incidents that are occurring more commonly throughout the city. The examples include a vehicle that narrowly misses a pedestrian on a sidewalk, two carjackings, and vehicles being driven at high rates of speed, into oncoming traffic and through red lights.

Calgarians are encouraged to help reduce the impact stolen vehicles have on the community by:
o Report suspicious people and activity immediately by calling 403-266-1234 or 9-1-1 for a crime in progress.
o Never leave a vehicle running and unattended. Vehicles with push-button starts can easily be driven away if a thief gets into the vehicle. Not all vehicles are equipped with an immobilizer, which shuts off a vehicle if it is driven a certain distance away from the corresponding key fob.
o Install a remote starter if possible.
o Use a steering wheel lock to deter thieves.
o Always keep your vehicle locked. Never leave spare keys or garage door openers in or around your vehicle.
o Never leave children unattended in a running vehicle.