Toronto 
In Brampton, Ontario, a staggering 73% of residents perceive a severe auto theft crisis, a sentiment underscored by a recent Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) survey.
The city is grappling with an auto theft rate significantly higher than the rest of Ontario, which already leads the country in vehicle thefts.
According to IBC, Brampton has witnessed a 133% surge in theft claims from 2018 to 2022, with the cost of these claims soaring nearly 400%. Approximately 73% of Bramptonians fear their vehicle could be next, as thefts in the city are about 20% higher than in other Ontario regions.
To combat this issue, Peel Regional Police’s 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau Auto Crime Unit launched Project Vinny in September 2022. This nearly year-long investigation, responding to a spike in vehicle thefts across Peel and the Greater Toronto Area, led to the disruption of an auto theft ring. The operation resulted in six arrests, 42 charges, and the recovery of 22 vehicles valued at $1.95 million, including various models of Land Rovers, Porsches, Dodge Rams, a Honda CRV, and a Cadillac SRX, many of which were re-vinned and fraudulently sold.
IBC emphasizes the importance of a collective effort involving governments, insurers, and auto manufacturers to address this crisis. Additionally, they recommend adopting Équité Association’s layered approach to vehicle protection, which includes:
- The first layer includes simple steps like locking doors, not leaving keys in the ignition, closing windows fully, and parking in well-lit or secure areas.
- The second layer involves installing visible or audible anti-theft devices such as alarms, steering column collars, wheel locks, and theft deterrent decals. Utilizing RFID-blocking pouches for key FOBs is also recommended.
- The third layer is about installing a quality vehicle immobilizer with ignition disablers to protect against various attacks.
- The fourth layer suggests investing in a tracking system with multiple, hard-to-locate devices to help locate a vehicle if stolen.
Auto theft not only impacts individual victims but also imposes broader societal costs. These crimes contribute an average of $130 annually to each Ontario driver’s insurance premium, totalling more than $1.6 billion in societal expenses, from law enforcement and legal proceedings to the broader economic impact.
To mitigate risks and potential insurance costs, IBC advises consulting insurance representatives and referring to Équité Association’s list of Canada’s most stolen vehicles when purchasing a car.
