Some vehicle owners urged to consider security upgrade amid surge in thefts

Mona Botrossaid she doesn't know much about tech.

But the financial adviser, who lives in Ottawa's Barrhaven suburb,does know how to cast security video taken by her doorbell camera,and now stored on her phone, onto the flat-screen TV in her living room.

That's because since first watching footage of youthful thieves breaking into her ToyotaRAV4 and driving off with it on Nov.21,she has been inexplicably drawn back to rewatch the spectacle.

Less than a week after the theft, Botrosreceived a lymphoma diagnosis.

Two months later, she has neither her car nor a cheque from her insurer, but many medical appointments to attend.

"It was frustrating, it's still frustrating and it's not done yet," Botros said.

Certain vehicles targeted

Hers was among a surge of 1,854 vehicle thefts in Ottawa last year, an average of about five a day.

Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs said earlier this week proactive patrols, daylight car chases and a multitude of arrests havenot been enough to stem a steady wave of thefts that seemsyet to crest.

The service isagain urging people whose vehicles are on thelist of those most frequently stolen in Ontarioto take extra measures if they want to be sure their car's in the driveway when they wake up in the morning.

Sgt. Catherine Brown said the force has traditionally been been reluctant to recommend specific aftermarket security systems to avoid the appearance of endorsement.

Nowthe veteran auto theft investigator said residents need to know what works and what doesn't and steered CBCtoward systems with a proven track record.

Aftermarket security systems

Police continue to advise people to park inside a garage, install motion-sensing lights and camerasor block commonly targetedvehicles using another less-sought-after car or truck.

If none ofthose measures arepossible and you own a vehicle such as a Toyota Highlander, it may be time to seriously consider an aftermarket security system.

AtDerand Motorsports, installers have been adding IGLA and Viper brand systems to hundreds of vehicles.

"As soon as they open up the door, the alarm goes off. They cannot start the truck and it will not go out of park," said salesmanAidan Derouchie, showing off a Jeep Gladiator armed with an aftermarket immobilizer.

Thieves study and practise on the Jeep or Toyota security systems and learn how to defeat them, but not the constantly-evolving aftermarket systems, Derouchie said.

A Viper or IGLA brand immobilizer might cost $1,200, but Derouchie said not only have they never lost a car installed with onecustomers routinely share security footage of would-be thieves trying and failingto disable them.

In one example, the footage showedthieves breaking the rear window of aDodge Rampickup truck and climbing in.

"They spent about 10minutes inside, then crawled out the same window and walked away," he said.

Tag system keeps them guessing

If immobilizers can be called the kill switch, then Kanata Toyota's approach is the capture.

Manager David Myers saidhis installers hide a series of wireless tracking units made by a company called Tag all over the car. The technology is so cutting-edgethat Myers wouldn'tlet CBC take a picture of the trackers or their packaging.

Each kit comes with a random number of units, so while thieves might know there are trackers on board a targeted vehicle, they won't know how many they need to find and disable.

"They're looking at laws of averages: 'If I steal it, am I going to hold onto it?'" Myersexplained.

KanataToyota also etches the driver's window with Tag's logo to warn would-be thieves that if they manage to steal the vehicle, someone will be huntingfor them.

Kanata Toyota sales manager Harry Sahotasaid some insurers may offset the costs of a pricey gadgets. An immobilizer cancost $1,200 and a tracker$800.

Ottawa police officers working the surging car theft beat saideven on their own personal vehicles, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.