Police in Toronto, Canada, are at the center of the storm after it was learned that one of their officers advised residents to leave their car keys at their front door to avoid violent robberies.
The officer’s advice Marco Ricciardi The news went around the web only this week, so much so that the Toronto police had to release a statement clarifying the situation.
The officer’s idea is a consequence of the escalation of car thefts and home invasions that the city’s metropolitan area has suffered since last year.
As reported by CityNews Toronto, Ricciardi said it would be a good idea for neighbors to leave their keys in Faraday bags or boxes in a location convenient for thieves to decrease the risk of violent confrontations.
“To avoid the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your key rings at the door because They are breaking into your house to steal your car; they don’t want anything else. “Many of those they are arresting have guns and they are not toy guns,” Ricciardi said.
As expected, the policeman’s advice had an impact on social networks, where there was no mercy.
“Canada”
Because the local police recommend that owners leave the car keys in the ignition, to facilitate theft without confrontation, given the increase in armed thieves who enter homes exclusively to steal vehicles.
— Trends in Argentina (@becauseTTarg) March 14, 2024
“The new world fashioned for the criminal. The political class is directly responsible”; “I leave the doors open so they can enter without breaking anything and I make sure there is nothing to take away”; “They help the thief” are some phrases that appeared in X.
In response to criticism of the officer’s advice, Toronto police released a statement suggesting other anti-theft methods.
“An official at a recent community meeting suggested that people leave their vehicle keys in a Faraday bag near the front door,” the message begins.
The idea was proposed by officer Marco Ricciardi. Photo: CityNewsIt continues: “While well intentioned, there are also other ways to prevent home invasions motivated by car thefts… Police are concerned about an escalation of violence in which all types of weapons and firearms are used to stealing vehicles, and that includes home invasions.”
The police also recommend: parking the car in the garage, making sure the driveway to the house is lit, using security cameras, installing a security system, among other things.
CityNews spoke to a woman who received a doorstop from York police to stop criminals from knocking down openings.
The post that the Toronto police posted when the controversy broke out. Photo: InstagramThe woman appreciated the measure, but said she would like to see others adopted, such as “adding patrols”.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.