PMPD - Auto Recovery

Stolen Auto Recovery

You can help reduce the cost of auto theft

BC's auto theft rate is one of the highest in the country. 34% higher than the national average. Everyday ICBC processes more than 50 stolen vehicle claims. In 1995 ICBC paid $6.5 million for auto theft. Early recovery of stolen vehicles reduce the cost of claims. That's where you come in.

Stolen Auto Recovery is a joint effort of citizen volunteers, the police, CPIC (Canadian Police Information Center) and ICBC to recover more stolen vehicles.

Stolen Auto Recovery get results

Since 1993, members of the Citizen's Crime Watch have been taking to the streets with a very useful new tool - a lightweight, portable computer loaded with and up-to-date data bank of stolen vehicle information. Working with the police officers who coordinate the program, teams of citizen volunteer's patrol the streets in vehicles equipped with police radios and small computers, checking vehicles parked in lots, on the street or on the move. When a suspected stolen vehicles is spotted, they radio the police who check out the information with CPIC. If the vehicle is verified stolen, a team member sends for a tow truck. If the vehicle is moving, the police radio for backup and arrest the driver.

In no circumstances should citizen volunteers approach an occupied stolen vehicle or attempt to make contact with the occupants.

The program has been a tremendous success. In Vancouver, the rate of stolen vehicles recovered by Citizen's Crime Watch increased from 35 in 1993 to 271 in 1995. Now, Stolen Auto Recovery is spreading out to the communities around the province.

The faster the recovery, the bigger the savings

Although 80% of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered, the time lapse between theft and recovery can make a big difference. The sooner a stolen vehicle is recovered, the less likely it is to be further damaged or involved in other crimes.

You can help prevent auto theft crimes. Contact Cst. Phil Reid at the Crime Prevention Unit 604-461-3456 and sign up now to become a citizen volunteer in the stolen Auto Recovery Program.