By Dave Eagles
Kamloops This Week
With the recent spate of vehicle break-ins in Kamloops, RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie took local media on a tour of the downtown Thursday, checking parked vehicles to get the word out to Kamloopsians to do their part to stem such thefts.
Foot patrol constables Jason Epp and George Buttuls, along with members of the downtown Customer Care and Patrol Team, met to show how common it is to spot vehicles left unlocked — including one with a wallet and backpack in full view on the front seat.
Shelkie said Mounties receive as many as eight to 10 reports of vehicle break-ins over a 24-hour period, with 80 per cent of those vehicles being unlocked.
“People with no source of income or who supplement their income by vehicle break-ins are mostly involved,” she said.
The message the RCMP wants to get out is for people to remove not only valuables from vehicles, but also the simplest of items; thieves will smash a window just to look into the vehicle, believing there may be something of value.
Items like plastic bags, envelopes, loose change and blankets covering something on a rear seat will attract attention.
On the brief walkabout with media, Mounties found money, golf clubs and a gift left inside unlocked vehicles.
The message is to lock items out of sight or, better yet, remove them altogether.