The Clair Hills Community Association

Committed to creating a clean, safe, welcoming, and connected community.

Vehicle break-ins and vehicle theft in our neighbourhood

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This is a copy of an email sent to our mailing list on April 21, 2016 at 9:00am.

Dear Neighbours,

We are aware of the recent reports of motor vehicle break-ins and vehicle theft in Clair Hills. The CHCA contacted Waterloo Regional Police Service requesting any insight into the problems and also requested their attendance at our upcoming AGM. We received a very positive response which included the following:

  • WRPS are well aware of the issues and have been addressing them internally for some time.
  • Extra checks and officers have been assigned to our zones and have been made aware of several incidents in our area so they can proactively address the issues.
  • This past weekend, three people were arrested and charged going through vehicles in the area. Note, it is not known if they were linked to previous incidents, but they were linked to some other incidents that same night.
  • More advice and helpful tips from WRPS are posted below my signature.

The police are hopeful that the incidents will decrease with the recent arrests. They remind the community that the best prevention is reinforcing the message to lock vehicles and make it more difficult for the individuals out looking for easy targets. You can easily report theft under $5000 online. Click here to learn how.  As always, if you consider the incident an emergency, call 9-1-1.

If schedules permit, someone from WRPS may be able to join us at our AGM. Our AGM has been rescheduled for Tuesday May 17 at 7:00pm. Please RSVP here to confirm your attendance. Note: We require an RSVP for anyone attending the AGM to ensure we have enough seats. Thank you. If you have questions about this email, please email president@clair-hills.ca.

Caitlin Smith President,

Clair Hills Community Association

Additional information about motor vehicle theft

car-theft-prevention

Thefts from motor vehicles are a nuisance type of crime and they seem to be taking place in all areas of our community. We [WRPS] are vigilant with patrols and we make arrests and lay charges when we locate and arrest the persons responsible. Property is returned when we determine ownership.

Most Theft from Motor Vehicles crimes take place when the accused person or persons enter an unlocked vehicle. We do not see many cases where vehicles are smashed or damaged to gain entry. Most times the unlocked door is the “opportunity” the thief is looking for. Not all but many of these crimes are committed by our youth looking to take money, gift cards or things that can be used or sold.

The residents in the Clair Hills area are probably not being targeted and most times its kids looking to profit from others.    Ensure that you check your vehicle(s) each night and actually go out and rattle your door handles ensuring they are locked. This is a simple crime prevention technique which works.

We would also suggest that valuables such as money, GPS devices, sporting equipment is placed in a trunk or out of sight as this often helps to deter the person stealing as there is nothing in “Plain View”. Residents can consider leaving an outside light on to illuminate the front of their house. Most opportunist thieves prefer non lit locations as they do not want to be seen. Motion lights are a consideration in that a motion light can be installed and set facing a driveway. This not only deters someone from looking in the vehicles but also might warn the home owner if the light goes on or off.

Call the police and report suspicious persons or activities in your neighborhoods.