ING Insurance has announced, in collaboration with the Calgary Police Service (CPS), the launch of a “bait-vehicle” program to help reduce crime in high auto theft areas of the city. A press conference to announce this program was held November 5, 2008 at Calgary Police headquarters.

Based on similar highly successful programs operating in other Canadian cities, the program aims to catch thieves in the middle of an auto theft. Basically, a vehicle is specially modified with a GPS tracking system and hidden cameras, so it can be monitored remotely, and then left in high theft areas to lure thieves. Once it is stolen, the vehicle’s location, speed, and direction of travel are tracked by a CPS dispatcher who coordinates the police response. When it is safe for officers to proceed, the engine will be disabled at the click of a mouse button – causing the vehicle to “magically” stall and the thieves to be caught in the act.

Bait cars will be stationed at various locations throughout Calgary, determined by vehicle theft and property crime trends. ING Insurance has donated the bait cars that will be used in this program.

“We are very excited about this partnership,” says Darren Godfrey, Vice President of Claims, ING Insurance, Western Division, “because we know that this is a proactive step to reducing crime in our community, and that benefits all of us.”

Crime is costly; not only to the community, but also relative to insurance premiums. With this significant contribution to the Calgary Police Service, ING Insurance hopes to help reduce the growing number of auto thefts that take place every day. As well, by reducing crime, this initiative can help reduce the costs that go along with it – good news for auto insurance customers.

Return to Press Centre