As part of the ongoing effort to reduce auto theft, the Abbotsford Police held a draw in local high schools for a prize package that included a steering wheel lock and other items for “new” or “soon to be new” drivers.
The goal of the campaign was to raise awareness with youth about the importance of safeguarding their vehicles.
Abbotsford Police partnered with Canadian Tire, targeting customers to increase awareness and public safety around auto theft prevention. Operation No-Free Ride involves actively promoting the use of anti-theft devices for all motorists.
“The draw in schools helps us get the crime prevention message to our young people who aren’t necessarily thinking about how easily some of the cars they are driving can be stolen,” said crime prevention Sgt. Casey Vinet. “Our hope is that by instilling crime prevention principles at an early age is that those behaviours will carry over into adulthood. If that happens, not only will they benefit, but we all do.”