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October 5, 2001 Manitoba Public Insurance will blanket Winnipeg with a simple household strategy to combat auto crime after a survey found most people don't think their car is likely to be stolen. Starting today, 280,000 households throughout the city will receive a direct mail auto theft piece from MPI outlining various strategies that every Winnipegger can take to protect their vehicles from auto theft. The mailing will also encourage homeowners to join the Combat Auto Theft program supported by Winnipeg Police and MPI. The mailing comes on the heels of an August public opinion survey showing most people (54 per cent) believe there is little or very little chance their vehicle will be stolen. Only 14 per cent of the 804 people surveyed said there is a good or very good chance their car could be stolen. "For vehicle owners the message is clear: Protect it, or risk losing it!" MPI President and CEO Jack Zacharias said. "This summer, while people were telling us that they were not at risk, auto theft increased 11 per cent. "In the last 10 years auto theft has increased a disturbing 400 per cent in Manitoba - that's about 70,000 people who did not think they were at risk until it was too late. The reality is that every neighbourhood is at risk and that's why we're sending each and every household in Winnipeg a practical guide to protecting your vehicle." MPI is also raising awareness through an auto theft campaign urging vehicle owners to take action now. The direct mail campaign is a simple battle plan every household can employ to protect their vehicles from auto thieves including:
"We know that if you can force auto thieves to spend more than 30 seconds stealing your car, then they are likely to leave it alone,'' MPI President and CEO Jack Zacharias said. "We're suggesting that everyone can do something that will help deter auto theft." Last year, a record 10,791 auto thefts took place in Manitoba including 9,329 in Winnipeg. These thefts cost premium-payers $23 million and took a human toll in the form of injuries and death. In the first six months this year, Manitoba had nearly 4,100 thefts at a cost of more than $11 million. A review of MPI theft claims files shows that every part of the city is vulnerable to theft. In particular, vehicle owners who live in the downtown, North End and northern parts of the city tend to have their vehicles stolen more frequently than those who live in other areas. To target the problem and to deal with problems identified in their own backyard, local groups such as the Alliance Boxing Club, located in the Point Douglas neighbourhood, are taking measures to fight auto theft and related crimes. Earlier this year, thanks to a Help Eliminate Auto and Truck Theft grant from MPI and Manitoba Justice, members distributed thousands of anti-theft pamphlets within this area. "Even though all areas of the city are vulnerable the fact is, the Inner City is most at risk," said Norquay Community Club President Dennis Richard. The Alliance Boxing Club is headquartered out of Norquay where today's news conference took place. "Auto theft is not a victimless crime, nor is anyone immune from it," said Zacharias. "By sending this anti-auto theft information we hope that people will take positive action to protect their property." MPI's on-going commitment to combating auto theft also includes funding the Winnipeg Police Service Stolen Auto Unit, working with police agencies through MPI's Special Investigation Unit, conducting parking lot audits and working with community groups to fight theft at the local level. Since 1995, MPI has offered a premium discount to vehicles with factory installed anti-theft devices that met national standards. Earlier this year the discount was extended to any vehicle that installs an aftermarket VICC- approved (Vehicle Information Centre of Canada) passive immobilzer anti-theft device.
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