Family Day Activities planned for B.C.’s first statutory holiday in February. PAGE 12 Research projects Participating in science not just for scientists. PAGE 18 Valentine treat Singer Ken Lavigne returns to Harbour City for concert. PAGE 3
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013
VOL. 24, NO. 120
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Electronics attract thieves to vehicles Nanaimo RCMP statistics show thefts on rise BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Cellphones, GPS units and other electronics continue to attract thieves’ attention like shiny things draw crows. Nanaimo RCMP statistics are showing thefts from vehicles have been on the rise over the past eight weeks, even though figures for the past four months – 375 incidents from Oct. 1 to Feb. 4 – show a slight drop compared to 385 thefts for the same period in 2011-12. But it’s a big jump compared to 2010-11 period with 307 incidents of thefts from vehicles. Hot items with thieves continue to be cellphones, GPS units and other personal electronics. RCMP statistics also point out Nanaimo’s hot spots for thefts from cars, which show downtown and the Old City Quarter, most of Harewood south of Fifth Street, and the Country Club area on both sides of the Island Highway between Uplands Drive and Labieux Road, as the most likely areas in town to have your car broken into. Locating high-crime areas allows police to target them with extra surveillance and alert Block Watch and Citizens on Patrol groups to keep an eye out and report suspicious activity. Spikes in break-ins can be due to seasonal changes or when criminals move into an area. Investigators also
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CRIME PREVENTION TIPS REPORT SUSPICIOUS activity as soon as possible to the police. REMOVE ALL valuables from your car. LOCK YOUR car even when it is in your driveway. USE SOME type of anti-theft device.
know that 50 per cent of vehicle break-ins occur when vehicles are left unlocked. “It’s one of the big thorns in our side because there’s something we can do to reduce the impact on our community and that is locking our cars,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “We have advocated at every opportunity that you have to lock your cars and remove valuables and that in itself will see a significant reduction in this kind of crime.” Lower Mainland Division RCMP said in a recent press release that B.C.’s bait cars are now baited with property containing the latest audio and video technology to tackle theft from vehicles. The Bait Car program is run by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team. ◆ See ‘AUTO’ ‘ /4
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Brita Power was among parents who were met by security guards at Cilaire Elementary School when they picked up their children Tuesday. Nanaimo District and Dover Bay secondary schools were also under protection by police and security guards after security protocol action was put into action by RCMP and the school district.
Security increased at Nanaimo schools BY JENN M C GARRIGLE THE NEWS BULLETIN
A potential threat to safety of staff and students led to increased security at three Nanaimo schools and the District Administration Centre this week. Private security guards were placed outside of Cilaire Elementary School and Nanaimo District and Dover Bay secondary schools as well as district headquarters Tuesday and Wednesday and the heightened security measures were expected to continue today (Feb. 7) and possibly tomorrow.
“We’re aware of a situation in the community that gives us some concern about safety at three schools and the district office,” said Donna Reimer, school district spokeswoman. “An individual in the community is giving us some cause for concern.” Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said an employee of the district who is currently not working allegedly threatened other people involved with the district and while police were investigating, the individual threatened police officers, for which he was arrested.
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He said the person spent about five weeks in jail after pleading guilty to threatening the police officers and was released Tuesday, with probation conditions. “We felt it was prudent to increase security around several buildings where individuals work that this person had some concerns with,” he said. “This is just a precautionary measure. There’s nothing to indicate this person will arrive at these buildings.” School liaison officers are also involved, O’Brien added. ◆ See ‘OFFICIALS’ /4
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