In response to a marked increase in car thefts through home invasions, Toronto Police have advised residents to consider placing their car keys in a Faraday bag near the front door, sparking debate over safety and property protection. This recommendation comes amid a staggering 400 percent rise in home break-ins for auto theft in Toronto last year, an unsettling statistic that has both citizens and law enforcement on high alert.
The Toronto Police Service, in an attempt to mitigate risks to personal safety during such invasions, originally proposed the idea that residents should leave their keys in a place easily accessible to thieves. This advice, dispensed by Const. Marco Ricciardi at a community meeting, had a clear rationale: “To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your fobs at your front door because they are breaking into your home to steal your car; they don’t want anything else,” Ricciardi said, highlighting the very real threat that these criminals often carry loaded firearms. Despite the police’s assertion that the aim was to offer helpful advice on avoiding attacks, his recommendations have sparked criticism and confusion among residents.
“The new auto theft prevention tactic is to ease auto theft?” one user on X said.
“Over a BILLION dollars a year so Toronto Police can deliver super duper advice like, “Make it easier for people to steal your car. Total, ground-up police reform NOW,” another user said.
“This is bizarre, Toronto Police advising the public to leave your fobs near the door. They suggest this because invaders are primarily entering homes to steal your cars. Why not hang your keys outside the door? Or better yet, just leave them in the car,” read another post.
“Just leave them in the ignition,” one user chimed in.
“Maybe I should leave the keys on the dash….How about enforcing theft laws,” another user said.
Reacting to the backlash and the ensuing confusion, the Toronto Police Service clarified their stance, acknowledging that while the officer’s suggestion was well-meaning, there are indeed “other ways to prevent auto theft motivated home invasions.” The updated guidance from the police includes a series of comprehensive measures aimed at securing both homes and vehicles more effectively. The list suggests practical steps like parking vehicles in a garage if possible, installing good exterior lighting, home security systems, and security cameras, applying security film to glass doors and windows, and using multipoint locks on doors.
The phenomenon of auto theft in Canada has reached a concerning peak, with a vehicle being stolen every six minutes, according to the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association. This underpins the Toronto Police Department’s serious concern about an “escalation in violence, where all sorts of weapons and firearms are being used to steal vehicles,” including during home invasions.
Relevant articles:
– Leave car keys by the front door to avoid home invasion, Toronto police officer says | Globalnews.ca
– Safety or risk? Toronto police’s advice to leave car keys by front door draws criticism, NOW Toronto, Thu, 14 Mar 2024 22:50:29 GMT
– Outrage Over Toronto Police’s ‘Bizarre’ Response to Car Theft, Advising to Leave Car Keys ‘At Front Door’, News18, Fri, 15 Mar 2024 03:02:00 GMT
– Canadian Police Tell Residents To Leave Car Keys On Front Porch For Thieves, Outkick, Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:09:21 GMT