The City of Kelowna and Kelowna RCMP are urging drivers to remove valuables from vehicles and make sure that doors are locked.
The don’t be an easy target anti-theft campaign is in its second year and encourages residents to:
• Remove valuables from vehicles
• Lock vehicle doors and roll up windows
• Report suspicious activity
“RCMP have noticed that theft in Kelowna and throughout the Central Okanagan is on the rise,” said Kelowna RCMP media relations officer Const. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Police are seeing that nearly half of all thefts committed are from vehicles or homes that were left unlocked or unsecured by their owners. Often times theft is a crime of opportunity, so we are encouraging the public to take that opportunity away.”
City and RCMP staff and volunteers will attend events this summer, handing out postcards as part of a social media contest that encourages behaviour change to help prevent theft from vehicles. The postcard features a decal that can be placed on the inside (facing out) of the driver-side window to let people know that the vehicle is “all locked up and [there’s] nothing to take.”
“The window decal is a reminder to the driver and a visual message to any passerby or potential thief, that the vehicle isn’t a target,” said O’Donaghey.
By posting a picture of the Don't be an easy target decal on a vehicle window to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using hashtags #Kelowna #dontbeaneasytarget participants will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant or retailer (drawn biweekly until the fall).
Residents can get a decal at one of the events throughout the summer, including at the upcoming Canada Day festivities in Kelowna, or pick one up at the Kelowna RCMP Detachment (350 Doyle Avenue), Rutland (115 McIntosh Road) or KLO (101-1450 KLO Road) offices.
For more information about the Don’t be an easy target campaign and this summer’s social media contest, visit kelowna.ca/target.
To report suspicious activity, call the non-emergency RCMP line at 250-762-3300, or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or text your tip to CRIMES (274637).