In 2019, the western provinces had over 47,000 cars stolen, with the majority of thefts occurring in BC and Alberta.

British Columbia: 13,352

Alberta: 23,535

Saskatchewan: 5,284

Manitoba: 5,546

While Manitoba and Saskatchewan seem much lower in comparison to the other provinces, their low populations put them in second and third place for thefts per 10,000 people.

With an upward trend in vehicle thefts, the total cost of car thefts for insurers across Canada in 2021 was $542 million. This number does not include other vehicles aside from cars, which means the true cost of vehicle theft was likely much more. 

While these numbers include thefts from individuals, it also includes thefts from dealerships, used car lots and businesses. Here are three ways you can use technology to enhance your dealership security - or even if you're a business with cars on your lot. 

1. GPS tracking 

If you have any vehicles on your property for business purposes, whether you’re a dealership selling new and used vehicles, a contracting business with mobile equipment, or another business with work vehicles, you should consider GPS Tracking. 

Unlike built in car alarms, GPS tracking devices are hidden. This means that they often go undetected and can be a huge help when trying to locate a stolen car. Certain tracking technology will even send alerts every time the vehicle is turned on or leaves a specific area. This not only alerts you to potential crime, but can ensure you know when all of your vehicle assets are coming and going. 

But GPS tracking should never be used as the only tool for reducing theft. That’s because GPS only ensures you can find your car after it’s been stolen. It is not effective at stopping your vehicles from being stolen in the first place. That is where the next two technologies come in. 

2. Managed access control 

Managed access control uses access cards, badges or fobs to unlock doors that use electric locks without the need for a physical key. This technology allows you to restrict access to the most valuable areas of your businesses.

While there are many ways that managed access control can protect your assets and high-value inventory, when it comes to vehicles, it’s especially effective for securing keys for vehicles on your property. 

Not only does it stop unwanted people from accessing keys, it also lets you know who accessed the key storage and when. This can help pinpoint the location of keys if they do go missing.  

Managed access control is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways for you to increase vehicle security and deter criminals from taking off with your equipment and inventory.

3. Verified alarms 

There are many ways that you can protect vehicles from theft and other crimes, but none of these measures are more crucial than the installation of a verified security solution. 

Conventional CCTV surveillance often triggers a high number of false alarms and are unlikely to stop criminals while they are in the act. Verified security sends footage of a crime directly to a security specialist in a central monitoring station. These specialists verify the alarm and, when the crime is real, alert police.

Since all criminal activity is verified, police respond quickly. For Sonitrol systems, police respond in 3.5 minutes on average. For conventional CCTV, the response time is a staggering 45 minutes or more! 

That’s more than enough time for a criminal to break into your business, steal car keys and make off with your highest-value vehicle(s).

With verified alarms, criminals are more likely to be caught red-handed before your business loses any money or assets. That’s because real-time updates are sent directly from security experts straight into the hands of the police.

Looking for more information on how you can improve your vehicles from theft? Contact Sonitrol Western Canada today. Our team of highly-experienced and knowledgeable security experts would love to offer you a free custom security plan, at no charge and no obligation.