Government combats auto and property crime

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Government combats auto and property crime

New anti-crime measures protect against theft and trafficking; Manitoba reduces immobilizer grace period for most-at-risk vehicles

November 23, 2010

The federal government recently passed Bill S-9, known as the “Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act.” The new law amends the criminal code and provides tougher penalties for property crime and auto theft.

For the past six years, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), along with Canada’s law enforcement community, has been asking for a tougher anti-crime legislation to address the problem of auto theft and the involvement of organized crime, stated a press release.

“IBC has worked tirelessly with our partners in law enforcement and with key members of Parliament to advance this important legislation through the House of Commons and the Senate,” said Rick Dubin, IBC’s Vice-President, Investigative Services.

Specific changes include, creating a separate offence for theft of a motor vehicle, with a mandatory six-month prison sentence for a third or subsequent conviction, and a new offence for altering, destroying or removing a vehicle identification number (VIN). Also, there will be penalties for criminals that traffic property obtained by crime.

Additionally, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will be allowed to detain suspected stolen property before it leaves the country.

Manitoba fights back

The insurance industry in Manitoba is also doing its part to combat auto theft.

Owners registering a most-at-risk vehicle for the first time in Winnipeg, or a vehicle to commute to Winnipeg will be given a 60-day grace period (reduced from 90 days) to have an immobilizer installed in their vehicle, effective December 1, 2010.

The mandatory immobilizer program, first launched in 2006, has resulted in the immobilization of 98% of most-at-risk vehicles registered in Winnipeg or as commuter vehicles, stated a press release.

“The consequences of auto theft are all too often violent and tragic,” said Attorney General Andrew Swan, who is responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance. “Every time an auto thief steals a car, they are putting people’s safety at risk. Unprotected most-at-risk vehicles in Winnipeg have a continued high risk of theft and these vehicles continue to be targeted by criminals.”

Overall, reported total thefts in Winnipeg dropped by 75% from 2004 through 2009. Combined total and attempted thefts are now the lowest in the province since 1992.

“While we have seen significant reductions in auto theft in Winnipeg, we know there is still work to do,” said Swan. “This measure is just one step we are taking to continue the fight against auto theft.”