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Terrace users on Facebook post warnings about vehicle break-ins

RCMP say it’s important to always lock your doors
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Many users on Facebook have been posting warnings to public groups to let others know about their vehicles being broken into. (Natalia Balcerzak/Photo)

With all the shiny thistle and festive lights, it’s hard to imagine anyone would want to ruin the holiday magic in Terrace but police are advising residents, especially while shopping, to beware of opportunistic thieves.

On Facebook, many users have been posting warnings on public groups such as Terrace Customer Service Reviews these past few weeks to warn other members about alleged vehicle break-ins that have happened to them.

On Dec. 5, a user published a post on saying that she had their car broken into “on 4900 block of Scott last night.”

That thread brought in many other members to share their accounts.

“My car was violated for the fourth time the night before last night. So I got a camera for the driveway now,” wrote one member.

Another replied with a photo of her car’s door frame that was damaged during an alleged break-in the same night “around 4700 Straume.”

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Throughout the group’s page, there were approximately a dozen warnings from locals, including one woman who said she was parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot when a woman tried to open her passenger door. “She caught a glimpse of me and ran,” the woman wrote.

Terrace RCMP say that although they haven’t seen a significant rise in break-ins, it’s still important for everyone to lock their doors and to double-check that any valuables are out of sight, including loose change.

“Take the few seconds to protect yourself and lock your door. It doesn’t matter how good of a town you live in, take that extra precaution,” says Cst. Crystal Evelyn.

Cst. Evelyn also advises that expensive stereo-systems in vehicles should have a serial number written on it to help police identify the item if it does get stolen.

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On the first weekend of December, the RCMP ran a Lock Out Auto Crime initiative. Their press release stated that their education program is “supported by ICBC to draw attention to the high rate of thefts from vehicles.”

Volunteers audited parking lots, checking approximately 200 vehicle doors. Cst. Evelyn says many phones and wallets left were discovered, along with a few car keys as well.

Crime prevention notices were placed on windshields to remind drivers to lock up.

“This is a time of the year where it hurts even more if you do get ripped off… so be extra vigilant to protect yourself from being a victim.”


 


natalia@terracestandard.com

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A Facebook user posted a photo of her vehicle’s door frame that was damaged during an alleged break-in. (Facebook Photo)