Toronto police are backing off advice they gave about car thefts in the city.
At a recent community meeting an officer suggested people leave their car keys by the front door to prevent a home invasion and the recommendation wasn’t sitting well with Torontonians.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, police confirmed an officer told the public to “leave [their] keys to their vehicle in a faraday bag by the front door.”
While they say it was “well-meaning” advice, Toronto police suggested other ways to prevent “auto theft motivated home invasions.”
“For additional context, in Toronto, home invasions and break and enters for auto theft occurrences rose 400 percent in 2023,” the statement reads.
“Police are concerned about an escalation in violence, where all sorts of weapons and firearms are being used to steal vehicles, and that includes during home invasions.”
Toronto police tweeted the press release with the tips, and people were quick to jump into the comments about what they thought about the initial advice.
One person said the tip was a “really bad suggestion.”
Another person seemingly joked they leave their “front door wide open so thieves don’t have to kick it down.”
Another X user said the officer who gave the initial advice wasn’t “fit to be an officer.”
In their statement, Toronto Police said they have always “advised the public to prioritize [their] safety over [their] vehicle.”
They also included ways people can protect themselves, their homes and their vehicles.
The tips include parking vehicles in a garage when possible, ensuring the driveway is well-lit, having security cameras or a home security system and keeping backyard gates locked and ground windows secured.
In a tweet on Thursday, Peel Regional Police joined the conversation around auto thefts and how they “impact the safety and well-being of victims.”
“We have been increasing the number of officers and expanding investigative resources into our Commercial Auto Crimes Unit, one of the largest in Canada,” the tweet said.
Peel police also encouraged the public to consider anti-theft devices for vehicles, enhancing security cameras and keeping key fobs away from doorways and entrances.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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