Secure your car against smash & grab
by: Cathy Vaughan
A gorgeous spring day of summery temperatures brings loads of nature enthusiasts to the peaceful trails in the wild lands of the Shaw Wilderness Park on Williams Lake. But that zenny-afterglow can be shattered when you discover that your car has been broken into while in the car park. Shards of broken glass on the front seats, the contents of your glove-box emptied on the floor and your personal writing journal stolen – all these destroy your sense of peace and safety.
Several popular nature parks in Spryfield have seen incidences of ‘smash&grab’ robberies by opportunistic thieves. Long Lake, Frog Pond, Shaw Wilderness Park and the Dingle Park seem to be targeted by thieves in the last month. They don’t steal the whole car, just anything you left in it. Police reports and insurance claims will all steal your time too. Infuriating!
You also experience shock at the loss of not only your personal items but of your notion of safety in our neighbourhood. Here is a smash&grab story from our local neighbourhood.
“Thieves broke the passenger-side window, early afternoon, in a near-full parking lot. They stole my old shabby backpack containing my wallet and personal writing journal. We were shocked as we had parked next to the busy Purcells Cove Road in nearly full parking lot with folks coming and going from the trails. It felt safe. Until it wasn’t!
When we reported the break in to the police we received good advice about identity theft and quickly moved to block attempts to use the stolen cards. But the loss I’m finding harder to reconcile is the loss of my personal writing journal that I have been keeping for the past year. It contains poems, essays, drawings and sketches I’ve been working on. Pages of wise words from my step-mother as she was dying, observations of the loss of my marriage and home and experienced through the lens of the global pandemic. These sentences in my journal were the string I was following, word by word, out of the darkness I felt.
I don’t know who broke into the car or what is going on in their lives that made such a violent action seem like a viable choice. I know the millions of ways that people struggle and I try to feel some compassion. So I hope that small amount of cash they found buys their kids some food. I hope my backpack comes in handy. If they read my writings, that it helps them feel some kinship with other suffering humans. I hope it helps them feel less alone.”
Councillor Patty Cuttell acted immediately when she heard the story and had signs made warning of thefts and had them posted at the trail head in the Shaw Wilderness Park’s car park.
“It is unfortunate, but thefts from cars do happen. This isn’t particular to Spryfield, it happens across the city. There are things you can do to protect yourself, such as not leaving valuables in your car, especially not in plain sight. If your car is broken into, it is really important that you call the police, so they are aware and can look for patterns of criminal behaviour, states Councillor Cuttell.
Report these crimes:
Police Non-Emergency Number 902-490-5020
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
We all need a reminder to keep our cars safe from break-ins, whether in our own driveways or in the car park at our local parks. Recently, there has been an increase of “smash&grab” incidences in our area. Long Lake, Shaw Wilderness Park, Frog Pond and Flemming Park seem to be the parking areas of choice for opportunistic thieves in the last few months.
So here is your refresher on car safety while you are enjoying the many nature parks in our area.
Remember to:
1. Park in brightly lit, well-travelled areas near other cars.
2. Remove all valuables, including your garage door opener and take them with you.
3. Roll-up the windows, close the sun roof, lock your car and activate your security system.
4. Keep your keys with you – don’t hide them on the outside of your vehicle.
5. Watch for suspicious activities and report to police non-emergency – 902-490-5020.