Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter

Following a reported string of car break-ins in the Plateau area, police say no reports have been filed. In mid- to late January, residents in the densely populated area between Hull and Aylmer complained on social media about several vehicle break-ins. “We didn’t receive any reports,” Gatineau Police spokesperson Patrick Kenney told the Aylmer Bulletin.

Kenney offered several vehicle break-in prevention tips. “Parking your vehicle in a well-lit area with video surveillance can dissuade criminals from committing theft or can help police gather important information in the event of a theft,” he said. “When you have to run the engine because the vehicle is covered by frost or ice, it is recommended that you stay close to it and keep it under your constant surveillance.”

Regarding the theft of vehicles for export, the SPVG wishes to advise the public that it is not impossible for the thieves to be spotted when they pass through the region. “We are therefore asking owners of recent luxury vehicles with push-button start to take the necessary measures to make access to their vehicle difficult,” continued Kenney. “This can be done by parking another vehicle in front of theirs or by using anti-theft protection methods.”

In addition, the SPVG recommends equipping yourself with anti-theft devices and systems available on the market, such as:

• anti-theft device on the vehicle’s steering wheel,
• OBD (on-board diagnostics) protector blocking access to the universal OBD port that provides access to the vehicle’s on-board computer,
• anti-theft system independent of the vehicle,
• tracking system independent of the vehicle.

Photo: SPVG police officers walking down a street (June 2, 2019) (MG) Photo: Gatineau Police Department Facebook Page