VPD offering free steering wheel locks for old vehicles without anti-theft

[Presto]

VPD Aim To Reduce Vehicle Thefts With Free Steering Wheel Locks | Vancouver Police Department

Queue the fobs driving modern lux vehicles snagging as many as they possibly can.

The Vancouver Police Department and its partners have launched an initiative to help prevent older vehicles from being stolen. Through Project “Use It,” anyone in Vancouver with a vehicle not equipped with anti-theft technology is eligible for a free steering wheel lock.

“The VPD is committed to combatting property crime and its drivers in Vancouver,” says Constable Jason Doucette, VPD. “We know that stolen vehicles are not being used for commuting — most are being used to commit additional crimes. Simply making your car harder to steal can reduce overall crime in the city.”

The number of vehicles stolen in Vancouver continues to rise year-over-year. In 2016, 1,473 vehicles were stolen in the city. This number increased to 1,495 in 2017. Older-model Honda Civics and Accords continue to be the make and models stolen most often.

The Project is made possible with support and funding from the Vancouver Police Foundation and ICBC. The free steering wheel locks can be picked up by Vancouver residents who own vehicles without anti-theft technology, at the following community policing centres (CPC):

Collingwood CPC – 5160 Joyce Street
Hastings Sunrise CPC – 2620 East Hastings Street
Kitsilano-Fairview CPC – Unit 78, 1687 West Broadway Avenue
Granville Downtown CPC – 1263 Granville Street
Chinese CPC – #106 – 268 Keefer Street
West End Coal Harbour CPC – 1267 Davie Street
Vancouver Aboriginal CPC – 1719 Franklin Street
Grandview Woodland CPC – 1977 Commercial Drive
South Vancouver CPC – 5435 Victoria Drive
Kerrisdale Oakridge Marpole CPC – 6070 East Boulevard

In addition, volunteers from the community policing centres will be looking for vulnerable vehicles parked on city streets and will provide owners with vouchers that can be exchanged for an anti-theft device at a community policing centre.

Top stolen vehicles in Vancouver in 2017:
Honda Civic / CRX (pre-2000)
Honda Accord (pre-1996)
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (pre 2000)
Ford F-150XLT (all years)
Ford Econoline E250 (pre 2013)
Honda CRV (1997-1999)
Toyota Corolla (all years)
Dodge Caravan (pre 2006)
Acura Integra (1992-1996)
Ford F250 Supercab (1997-2004)

[underscore]

What do they mean by "anti-theft technology"? Do all vehicles not come with locks and keyed ignitions? Most have steering locks as well.

[!LittleDragon]

Can't remember when but at some point in the 2000's, all new cars had to be sold with an immobilizer... kind of like how all new cars now have to be sold with a backup camera.

[twitchyzero]

grabbed one at their gravley street location...never used it

[CCA-Dave]

A hacksaw through the steering wheel renders these useless. With today's battery powered saws, they're even easier to bypass.

[MG1]

It's still a deterrent.

Who in their right mind would go through the effort on a car that is so old, it'll break down if you drove like you stole it. (sheesh, that was bad, even for my low standards.) Thieves will just move on to another car.

twitchy, if you never used it, give it back so someone who can use it can have it.

[MG1]

Originally Posted by underscore

What do they mean by "anti-theft technology"? Do all vehicles not come with locks and keyed ignitions? Most have steering locks as well.

A quick yank and it's all disabled. Also, keyed ignition on old cars.............. nuff said.

[ilovebacon]

Toyota Corolla (all years)

[twitchyzero]

doubt we can find it in the vortex that is the garage #asianhoarders
but yeah the thief with the hacksaw's not gonna break into your Dodge Caravan or stock 1991 Accord

[Gunsmokez]

Wonder if they are taking in old steering wheel locks. Since I got 2 , that I do not use anymore. Could donate it to them. But, if they are giving out new ones lol, then no point.

[UnknownJinX]

I doubt the steering wheel lock will do much if you can just jam a screwdriver in the ignition lock and start the car.

When I had my 1999 Corolla, all it had was just a metal key. No ignition chip that will lock the fuel injection if the chip doesn't match the ECU like modern cars do. Of course, that car was a stick shift, which is a deterrent for most amateur thieves.

Also, I wonder how many idiots got their cars stolen because they are too lazy to shut their cars off when they go inside a building. I remember that last week, I was going to a convenience store and there was a dude that came in after me. He left his car(which is an old Corolla) running outside, which means that I could have just jacked it if I wanted to.

Originally Posted by ilovebacon

Toyota Corolla (all years)

So I guess that explains why Corolla drivers drive like crazy. It's because they don't own them.

[CCA-Dave]

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX

So I guess that explains why Corolla drivers drive like crazy. It's because they don't own them.

I genuinely laughed out loud. A thanks didn't seem like enough. Nicely done.

[pastarocket]

The line ups of greedy mainlanders at the VPD CPC's for these steering wheel locks will be even longer than those last year for the free salt during the snowy weather.

Those hoarders will probably sell them on Craigslist for a pretty penny.

[hchang]

I chucked at "Ford F-150XLT (all years)

Look at how many Fords made it onto that list

[underscore]

Originally Posted by MG1

It's still a deterrent.

Who in their right mind would go through the effort on a car that is so old, it'll break down if you drove like you stole it. (sheesh, that was bad, even for my low standards.) Thieves will just move on to another car.

Don't underestimate the stupidity of thieves. Some tried to steal my car while it was at a shop. The interior was half torn apart, it had no battery, coolant, fuel, wiring harness, oil, or half of the engine, but they still smashed in the door handle and tried to punch the ignition.

Though that has me wondering, since a steering lock is more of a visual deterrent (anyone who'd be stopped by one isn't likely to even break in if they see it) I wonder if a flexible fake one is out there. Then you don't have to deal with unlocking it or worrying about a big hunk of metal flying around in an accident, you just pop it off and pop it on.

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX

No ignition chip that will lock the fuel injection if the chip doesn't match the ECU like modern cars do.

I hate those things. Maybe I'm wrong but in my experience they're more likely to prevent you from starting your own car than preventing a thief from starting it.

[Tone Loc]

Originally Posted by pastarocket

The line ups of greedy mainlanders at the VPD CPC's for these steering wheel locks will be even longer than those last year for the free salt during the snowy weather.

Those hoarders will probably sell them on Craigslist for a pretty penny.

"What do you mean the Lexus RX isn't on the list?!"

[iPee]

Haven't see one of these locks in ages.

[Badhobz]

Immma gonna send my old man to lineup for one. That way I won't be so embarrassed

[UnknownJinX]

Originally Posted by underscore

I hate those things. Maybe I'm wrong but in my experience they're more likely to prevent you from starting your own car than preventing a thief from starting it.

The downside with modern keys is that they are pretty expensive to buy, cut and program.

But at the same time, I never lost my car keys before. I have always bought a little pocket for my car keys that attaches to a belt ring.

And if you are talking about dead batteries, most cars will still start. My RX-8 uses a knob to start the car normally, but you can detach it when the key battery dies and use the detachable key to crank the car. The push-button ones? Put your key right on the button and push the button.

[underscore]

I've never lost a key either, but I have had the security system glitch and prevent me from starting my own vehicle a few times.

[Bouncing Bettys]

I've long considered these a handy weapon you can keep within arms reach more than an effective anti-theft device.

[MG1]

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX

The downside with modern keys is that they are pretty expensive to buy, cut and program.

But at the same time, I never lost my car keys before. I have always bought a little pocket for my car keys that attaches to a belt ring.

And if you are talking about dead batteries, most cars will still start. My RX-8 uses a knob to start the car normally, but you can detach it when the key battery dies and use the detachable key to crank the car. The push-button ones? Put your key right on the button and push the button.

Or, install a Drone Mobile and start your car from your phone or anything with Internet capabilities. The Drone does more than just autostart and stop the vehicle, it informs you of the status of your vehicle (battery voltage, history of events, door, trunk, and hood status, etc.), and if you get the premium package, it can tell you where your car is on google maps, along with how fast it is going, etc.

Like Fun Fun Fun, by the Beach Boys. Lied to daddy she was going to the library. "It says here, sweetie, that you weren't at the library and that the car was averaging 135 k/ph" ............ so busted.



Did I lock the car? No problem, just check it on the phone. I'm in the process of installing one of those garage door opener wifi things, 'cause I sometimes forget to close the garage door. I kind of misplaced the sensor, gulolol. Technology - so damn convenient. Great for those, "seniors," moments.

I've had a Drone alarm installed in the Acura and now the new vehicle. Too cheap to get the premium package, though. Only basic subscription.

[underscore]

^ what does that cost? To me a tracker seems much more useful than a standard alarm, especially now that some thieves use flat deck tow trucks.