The effort to curb auto theft in Renfrew, Arnprior and across Eastern Ontario just got a huge boost.
The Renfrew Police Services Board, along with the Renfrew/Arnprior Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, was successful in securing a grant to fund the HEAT (Helping Eliminate Auto Theft) initiative.
An event held Monday in Renfrew was an opportunity for community partners to check out some of the new equipment made possible by the grant, which consists of $1.4 million over three years.
Jeff Scott, chair of the Renfrew Police Services Board, said the program has some remarkable components, including a decoy vehicle and traffic cameras that can track licence plates.
Another major aspect of HEAT is community training and partnerships. More than 30 partners, including insurance companies and auto dealerships, throughout the region, will be handing out educational and informational materials.
Scott said community partners were not only impressed with the equipment, but in some cases learned new information.
Some people aren’t aware that not only are vehicles stolen from the town of Renfrew, but that it acts as a passageway to larger centres for automobile thieves, he said.
An impressive component of the initiative is the camera system, made possible through Safe and Sound, a division of Yemen Electric.
Corey Jackson runs Safe and Sound and said HEAT will see cameras installed in a number of sites to monitor main entrances, exits and throughways throughout the town for auto theft.
The project has been well received.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)