Canada: Outrage Over Toronto Police's 'Bizarre' Response to Car Theft Surge, Advising to Leave Car Keys 'At Front Door'

Last Updated: March 15, 2024, 08:27 IST

Toronto, Canada

Toronto Police in Canada are facing a barrage of criticism online for what some are calling their “shrug emoji” response to the surge of car thefts wreaking havoc in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

This advice comes as statistics show car thefts in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) increased by nearly 25 percent last year. The Toronto City News reported that home invasions and break-and-enters for auto theft rose 400 percent in 2023.

At a safety meeting held last month, a Toronto Police Constable advised residents to leave their key fobs in a pouch in a “convenient place” for thieves as a way to reduce the risk of violent confrontations. “While well meaning, there are also other ways to prevent auto theft motivated home invasions,” the Toronto police said in a statement.

‘This is bizarre’

“To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your fobs at the front door because they are breaking into your home to steal your car; they don’t want anything else,” Toronto Police Constable Marco Ricciardi said. “A lot of them that they’re arresting have guns on them and they are not toy guns,” he added. “They are real guns. They’re loaded.” Toronto Police dominated the trends on Thursday, with thousands of tweets flooding in, the majority venting frustration and anger on the subject.

“Do your jobs properly so we don’t have to worry about car theft,” wrote one of the users. “This is bizarre,” said another. “Toronto Police advising the public to leave your fobs near the door. They suggest this because invaders are primarily entering homes to steal your cars. Why not hang your keys outside the door? Or better yet, just leave them in the car.” “This is failed state-level insanity,” another added. “Hey guys do you mind making it easier for people to steal your cars so that they won’t break into your house instead? Thanks.”

On Wednesday, in a release, Toronto Police offered more advice to worried citizens. “An officer at a recent community meeting suggested that people leave the keys to their vehicle in a faraday bag by the front door,” the release said. “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.”