Auto thefts continue to be an issue and the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is looking combat them.
A new initiative has been launched in Oakville.
Aftermarket GPS trackers contribute to the recovery of roughly 40% of stolen vehicles in Oakville, and police hope their broader use will reduce auto thefts and lead to even more recoveries. Project Oxygen encourages residents to place third-party trackers (such as an Apple Air Tag, Tile, Galaxy Smart Tag or Atuvos) inside their vehicles.
Tracker tools utilize technology to relay the location of a stolen vehicle to its rightful owner. Armed with this information, police are in a better position to recover the vehicle and make an arrest(s).
The key to success is the location of the aftermarket tracker in the automobile. While a thief may become aware of the presence of an aftermarket tracker, a well-hidden device or one placed in a hard to reach location will give police valuable time to locate the stolen vehicle or cause the thieves to abandon the stolen vehicle.
To help with these efforts, the following dealerships in Oakville have agreed to install trackers for Oakville residents who own the dealership’s make of vehicle. Note that it is the responsibility of vehicle owners to provide the trackers:
- Oakville Toyota (2375 Wyecroft Road)
- Lexus of Oakville (1453 North Service Road West)
- Oakville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (270 Oak Park Boulevard)
- South Oakville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (175 Wyecroft Road)
- Budds’ Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC (410 South Service Road)
- Budds’ Imported Cars Jaguar Land Rover (227 Wyecroft Road)
Contact your dealership directly for more information and to book an appointment.
A well-hidden aftermarket tracker has been proven to be successful in locating stolen vehicles and arresting thieves involved in auto theft. HRPS encourages all Halton residents to consider placing trackers in their vehicles, in conjunction with these other auto theft prevention tips:
- Park your vehicle in a locked garage
- Block the exit of a potential target vehicle with a second vehicle parked behind it
- Install an on-board diagnostic blocker/protector
- Use of a steering wheel lock device
- Home security cameras on the exterior of the residence
- Install a kill switch in your vehicle
