An event focused on crime prevention is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Nov. 7) at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre in South Surrey.
The Protect It, Lock It, Keep It Campaign will include a 'spot the target' contest, Safety Bear and information on items most commonly stolen from vehicles.
Weather permitting, organizers will also conduct an audit of vehicles in the mall's parking lot and chat with shoppers about the initiative.
Surrey RCMP launched the campaign Oct. 1 in partnership with the City of Surrey and ICBC, to remind residents of the importance of adopting such auto-crime-prevention habits as parking in well-lit areas, removing valuables and using anti-theft devices.
“The Surrey RCMP has identified property crime as a target area for crime reduction,” Chief Supt. Bill Fordy said in a statement. “Vehicle crime represents 36 per cent of all property crime in our city. From our data last year, October to December saw a distinct increase in vehicle crime.”
As part of the campaign, volunteers from Surrey's RCMP district offices and the Surrey Crime Prevention Society will be out daily conducting parking-lot audits and ICBC's Lock Out Auto Crime program.
There will also be steering-wheel lock giveaways to residents who driver older-model vehicles – such as Honda Civics, Honda Accords and Ford F-Series trucks – that are often targeted by thieves. The next giveaways will take place Nov. 5 at the Surrey Sports & Leisure Centre and Nov. 16 at Guildford Mall.
The campaign runs until Dec. 1.