Motor vehicle thefts in Alberta dropped sharply from March to December last year, and RCMP officials believe it is largely due to the pandemic.

Urban detachment areas saw a 27 per cent decrease in theft from motor vehicles and a 26 per cent decrease in the theft of motor vehicles. Rural detachment areas saw a 29 per cent decrease in theft from a motor vehicle and a 21 per cent decline in motor vehicle thefts.

Jennifer Kee, RCMP community engagement and outreach specialist, says it has helped that people have been home more often during the pandemic and there have been more eyes in neighborhoods to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

"I would like to also believe that a large majority of that could be from people that are locking up their vehicles up, and taking their valuables from their vehicles. We have been running campaigns for that for quite a while now, so I'm hopeful it's people taking those preventive measures."

As impressive as these statistics may seem, over 7,100 vehicles were stolen in that nine-month period, and there were over 7,800 reported thefts from vehicles.

As part of its ongoing public education campaign, the RCMP is utilizing a series of  Valentine-themed graphics on their social media outlets during February.

Eight colourfully-designed tips will be posted on Facebook (@RCMPinAlberta), Twitter (@RCMPAlberta), and #VehicleValentines (for February) throughout the month.

Kee says such designs are now commonly used by the RCMP to present tips on their social media.

"The visual presentation of this, maybe just stays with people longer." 

Vehicle thefts commonly increase in the winter months, and there are several months of cold weather ahead.

The Alberta RCMP estimates that about 33 per cent of all vehicle thefts happen when a vehicle is left idling and unoccupied.

Kee says preventing thefts comes down to establishing a routine that also includes locking the vehicle, removing the garage door opener, and removing items that would entice thefts.

"Even empty bags could be a target for your vehicle because people that are going to break into your vehicle don't know if there's something in them or not, so it's best to be out of sight, out of mind for everything."

RCMP say steering wheel locks and vehicle tracking systems can also be of value.

Ideally, vehicles should be parked in a well-lit area and garages should be locked.

Any criminal or suspicious activity can be reported to the Cochrane RCMP at 403-851-8000.