OPP NEWS RELEASE
********************* Superior East Detachment launches lock it or lose it
(Chapleau, Ontario) - If you see Police and Community Policing volunteers putting bright yellow tickets under windshields in the Chapleau downtown area, don't panic. These tickets are going on every vehicle to give the community a "check up" on their security habits when it comes to vehicles. During recent months, a rash of stolen vehicles and thefts from unlocked vehicles in Chapleau has prompted the Superior East Detachment and the Chapleau Community Policing committee to join forces and launch a program to combat these crimes.
Lock It or Lose It is a program that will be ongoing during the next week in the town of Chapleau.
The program has been ongoing in areas of Southern Ontario for quite some time but this is a first for Superior East OPP Detachment.
The program has volunteers and police walking the downtown areas and visually checking to see if vehicles have been left unlocked, unlocked with packages and/or purses and wallets inside, or unlocked with the keys still in the ignition.
Vehicles with everything locked safely will also get these tickets to tell them that they are a cautious car owner.
The purpose of this program is to educate the public on the perils of leaving keys or valuables inside the vehicle and leaving their vehicle unlocked.
No longer is this a safe practice at any time nor in any community.
So when you see these yellow tickets and volunteers during next week, thank them for their care of the community, and remember to Lock It or Lose It.
********************** (EDITOR'S NOTE: Chapleau welcome sign may not be exactly as illustrated.)