A Burnaby resident is pleading with other local apartment and condo dwellers to beef up their security and train everyone on how to prevent crime.
That’s because Connor W., a Metrotown resident, said he moved from one condo building due to rampant crime in the underground parkade only to find the same situation at another building.
And he’s fed up because he calls it an “inside job” in which other tenants are either committing the crimes or letting them happen through carelessness.
“Let’s just say I’m tired of buying bicycles, only to have them stolen over and over again,” said Connor. “I’ve also had my car’s window shattered repeatedly in the past few years. I can only move so many times searching for a better situation. I've tried to be the ‘safety guy’ who nags everyone only to find people who just don’t care.”
I looked around for more information and tips for people and discovered that this kind of thing is rampant.
"It's not uncommon for a thief to wait outside a parkade until someone enters or exits, and then uses the opportunity to quickly enter while the garage door is still up," said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the RCMP. "Be vigilant. Notice who may be lingering outside your building parkade. And always wait until the door fully closes before continuing on your way. And if you see anything suspicious, call 911."
Thieves often enter parkades with the intent of committing thefts from vehicles. The relatively secluded location is well hidden from view, said DeVries, while offering a large number of target vehicles in one place.
"It's also a common method used by thieves to access storage units where they tend to steal bicycles and other valuables from storage areas commonly located within parkade areas," said DeVries. DeVries advises residents to check on their belongings at least once per month.
According to statistics gathered by ICBC, the following items are the most popular of those stolen from inside vehicles:
- Smartphones
- Personal electronics—tablets, laptops, iPods, GPS
- Work tools
- Credit cards and identification
- Stereo equipment
- Cash and change
- Car parts and accessories
- Garage door openers
- Sunglasses
- Keys
Don’t give thieves the chance:
- Treat your keys like cash. Never leave your keys unguarded, such as at the gym or at the office.
- Park in secure, well-lit areas. Always lock your doors and close the windows, even if you’re only away from your vehicle for a few minutes. When possible, try to park in areas near pedestrian traffic.
- Remove valuables from your vehicle. Shopping bags, tools, spare change, electronics, and brief cases can all tempt a thief. If it can be stolen, put it in the trunk.
- Wait for garage door gates to close behind you. Don't give thieves a chance to sneak in to a parkade.
- Keep your garage door opener out of sight. Store your garage door remote in a glove box or other concealed place, or take it with you.
- Use an electronic engine immobilizer or steering wheel lock. Additional anti-theft devices can help secure your vehicle, particularly if it was manufactured before 2007.
- Don’t store a spare key in your vehicle. Keep your spare key or valet at home or on your person.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
