Faced with an alarming increase in car thefts, Constable Marco Ricciardi of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) has offered controversial advice to residents: leave your car keys at the door to avoid violent home invasions.
During a community safety meeting in Etobicoke, Officer Ricciardi addressed the issue, stating, “To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your remotes at the door because they are coming into your home to steal your car. They don’t want anything else.”
In short, don’t make it difficult for thieves to steal your car. This is what an unarmed society looks like.
This tip came as Toronto grapples with a car theft rate that sees one vehicle stolen every six minutes, a costly crime spree that racks up nearly $1 billion a year, according to the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association (CFLA ).
Toronto has seen a 400 per cent increase in home invasions and car theft break-ins, underscoring a worrying trend of increased violence and use of firearms by criminals targeting vehicles, Global reported News.
The Toronto Police Service released the following statement:
During a recent community meeting, an official suggested that people leave their vehicle keys in a Faraday bag near the front door. While well intentioned, there are also other ways to prevent home invasions motivated by car thefts. For further context, in Toronto, home invasions and car thefts increased by 400% in 2023. Police are concerned about an escalation of violence, where all types of weapons and firearms are used to steal vehicles, and that includes during home invasions. While Toronto Police have always advised the public to prioritize their safety over that of their vehicle, here are some ways citizens can protect themselves, their homes and their vehicles:
- Park vehicles in the garage if possible
- Make sure your driveway is well lit and keep outdoor lights on all night
- Security cameras are an asset
- If possible, install a home security system: activate the STAY alarm when you are at home and AWAY when you are away
- Consider having a motion detection alarm connected to your cell phone
- Put security film on windows and glass doors
- Have multi-point locks on doors
- Keep yard gates closed and grounds windows secured
- Don’t post on social media when you’re on vacation
- Report suspicious vehicles/people in the neighborhood to the police
The TPS’s advice to leave keys in a Faraday bag near the front door, which can prevent remote access to keys by thieves, has indeed sparked debate.
The former litigant, Viva Frei on X, wrote: “Welcome to Justin Trudeau’s Canada. Where weapons are illegal. Except criminals have them and you don’t. And the police are begging you to leave your keys at the door so armed criminals can steal your cars and hopefully spare your life. I haven’t said this in a while, but FUCK Justin Trudeau!”
Welcome to @JustinTrudeauIt’s Canada.
Where weapons are illegal. Except criminals have them and you don’t.
And the police are begging you to leave your keys at the door so armed criminals can steal your cars and hopefully spare your life.
I haven’t said anything in a while… pic.twitter.com/I24IhC1LNF
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) March 14, 2024