Distribution of free signal-blocking pouches in York Region a success, police say
CBC
Thousands of residents in York Region have received free pouches that could help fend off car thieves, York Regional Police said.
In a news release on Saturday, police said the Faraday bags were distributed under York police's Operation Auto Guard initiative, to tackle an increase in auto thefts in the region.
"Thousands of members from the community have received the Faraday bags since the announcement of Operation Auto Guard, on Tuesday, Sept. 26," police said in the release.
"The community's response to work together with York Regional Police in an effort to prevent vehicle thefts has been astounding. Thousands of Faraday bags have been distributed and because of the overwhelming success of this operation, we have temporarily run out of bags."
According to the release, more bags have been ordered and they are expected to be at York Regional Police districts this upcoming week.
York Regional Police said they have seen an almost 50 per cent increase in vehicle thefts compared to this time last year. Compared to 2019, police said the region is on pace for a staggering increase of approximately 200 per cent. This year alone, close to 3,300 vehicles have been stolen so far, police said.
A Faraday case is a signal-blocking tool that's relatively inexpensive and can help prevent cars from being stolen in what's known as a relay attack.
With keyless ignition an increasingly popular feature in newer vehicles, thieves can read the radio frequency of key FOBs in your house and relay that frequency to a car on your driveway. That can trick the car into thinking you're nearby or inside with your key and can allow thieves to drive away, all in less than 60 seconds.
On Tuesday York Regional Police announced the multi-faceted crime prevention campaign targeting high-end auto thefts.
Police said Operation Auto Guard will incorporate a robust crime prevention campaign into ongoing enforcement efforts, which includes data-driven solutions, targeted community engagement and the giveaway of crime prevention tools to help residents avoid becoming victims of vehicle theft.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is forming a working group to tackle what it calls systemic issues in the justice system, but answers or solutions could still be months away.
A woman has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in a 2024 fatal hit and run in Truro, N.S., where the victim was dragged down the street, a case that went unsolved for more than six months.
A stream of people showing up to a brightly lit front porch, each holding up a bottle of wine, spirits, or beer.
Sona Lakhoyan Olivier has been excluded from Quebec’s Liberal caucus for the duration of an investigation led by the National Assembly’s ethics commissioner, the party announced Thursday.
The head of the William Whyte Neighbourhood Association hopes a city plan to crack down on vacant properties leads to a transformation in his community.
Saskatchewan's justice minister is rejecting the latest legislative proposal from the NDP Opposition, one that the NDP says is a necessary check on government power.
The provincial government is proposing sweeping changes to citizen-led referendum questions that could put a stop to an active court case about whether it’s constitutional to ask Albertans if they agree with separating from Canada.
A proposal for a hydrogen-powered passenger rail connecting Calgary and Banff has been submitted to the federal government in the hopes of having it fast-tracked.
The P.E.I. Green Party is calling on government to release the fall fiscal update. The checkup on the province's finances is typically released sometime in October.
A main road in Inuvik, N.W.T., is closed and water is shut off for part of the town after a utilidor leak.
Immigration Minister Lena Diab sparred with her Conservative critic at a tense House of Commons committee meeting Thursday as the two disagreed on everything from immigration levels and deporting non-citizen criminals to what kind of salad they prefer.
A report by the City of Calgary presented to councillors says blanket rezoning has so far required only "minimal" upgrades to infrastructure.