"Everyone knows about flipping down the front visor. Everyone knows about the magnetic key holder under the bumper. And everyone knows about the centre console. The centre console is a car’s proverbial cookie jar."

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RCMP

"Everyone knows about flipping down the front visor. Everyone knows about the magnetic key holder under the bumper. And everyone knows about the centre console. The centre console is a car’s proverbial cookie jar."

So don't keep your keys or anything else of value there, North Vancouver Mounties wrote in a press release after a spate of 24 stolen car reports.

Of those cases, the lack of security is quite surprising.

• In 17 of those 24 (around 70 per cent) the vehicle was left unlocked
• In 12 of those 24 (yes, 50 per cent) the spare key was stored in, or somewhere on the vehicle
• And in 7 of those 12 (around 60 per cent), the spare key was in the centre console

"It’s like putting a spare house key under the front mat, or putting your wallet in your shoe at the beach while you go for a swim," Sgt. Peter DeVries said in the release. "Classic ‘Family Feud’ questions. The ‘survey says’ those are the first places a thief is going to look."

April is Lock Out Auto Crime month, and the Detachment is working with ICBC to remind people to create a habit of removing valuables from vehicles, including spare keys, and locking up at night. However, some people are still not getting the message, and the past month’s stats leave police wondering why.

"There is absolutely no reason to store a spare key in the centre console,"  DeVries said. "How will that help you if you get locked out of your car?"

Just because an item is out of sight doesn’t mean thieves won’t suspect there are valuables somewhere in the car.

The Detachment wants to deliver a simple message to people: If you have a spare key in or somewhere on your car, go out to your car, right now. Remove it and store it in your house. And always lock your car.

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