In a controversial move, the Toronto Police Service has issued an advisory to the public regarding a rising trend of home invasions targeting car theft. The law enforcement agency suggests that homeowners should place their key fobs near the front door to minimize the risk of such incidents.
According to the police, the primary motivation behind these home invasions is the acquisition of car keys, rather than the theft of other valuables. By leaving the key fobs in a readily accessible location, the Toronto Police believe that it could potentially reduce the likelihood of personal harm to the residents.
“To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your fobs at your front door,” Constable Marco Ricciardi stated at an Etobicoke community meeting. “They’re breaking into your home to steal your car. They don’t want anything else.”
"Toronto Police advise the public to reduce the risk of home invasions aimed at car theft by placing their key fobs near the front door. This strategy is suggested because culprits are primarily entering homes to access cars, not to steal other items." 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/7TjMILu43d
— Shazi (@ShaziGoalie) March 14, 2024
This recommendation has sparked a debate among the public, with some individuals expressing concerns about the safety implications of leaving their key fobs in plain sight. Critics argue that this strategy could inadvertently encourage criminal behavior and lead to an increase in home invasions.
However, the Toronto Police maintain that this approach is aimed at reducing the risk of confrontation between homeowners and intruders. By removing the need for criminals to search for the keys, the police hope to minimize the potential for violence and harm to the residents.
In response to the concerns raised by the public, the Toronto Police have emphasized the importance of implementing additional security measures, such as installing a home security system, reinforcing door locks, and ensuring that all entry points to the property are well-lit and visible from the street.
This advisory comes at a time when Canada has recently passed sweeping, controversial gun ban legislation under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which has sparked heated discussions on the effectiveness of gun control measures in curbing crime.
