Door to Door Sales Info (from the Government of Ontario)
July 9th, 2024
July 9th, 2024
Unless they’re invited to your home by scheduled appointment, a door-to-door salesperson is not allowed to sell you a major appliance, such as a furnace, air conditioner or water heater, softener, or purifier.
If you do make a purchase, make sure to get a detailed written contract with a cost estimate, completion date and specific information about the goods and services.
You have 10 days to cancel a signed contract for a new major appliance without penalty, and you can cancel an agreement within 1 year if the business or salesperson made a false or misleading statement about the contract.
Products and services that cannot be sold door-to-door
For consumers
Certain products and services cannot be offered or sold at your home unless you initiate the transaction (for example, by calling or emailing a business and asking them to come to your home for the purpose of entering into a contract.) There are some exceptions, including instances where you already have a contract in place.
These restricted products and services include:
Before you hear a sales pitch
When you open your door to a salesperson, remember:
For more info please visit the Government of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/door-door-sales-and-home-service-contracts
If you do make a purchase, make sure to get a detailed written contract with a cost estimate, completion date and specific information about the goods and services.
You have 10 days to cancel a signed contract for a new major appliance without penalty, and you can cancel an agreement within 1 year if the business or salesperson made a false or misleading statement about the contract.
Products and services that cannot be sold door-to-door
For consumers
Certain products and services cannot be offered or sold at your home unless you initiate the transaction (for example, by calling or emailing a business and asking them to come to your home for the purpose of entering into a contract.) There are some exceptions, including instances where you already have a contract in place.
These restricted products and services include:
- furnaces
- air conditioners
- air cleaners
- air purifiers
- water heaters
- water treatment devices
- water purifiers
- water filters
- water softeners
- duct cleaning services
- any good or service that performs or combines one or more of the above functions
Before you hear a sales pitch
When you open your door to a salesperson, remember:
- certain products and services can’t be sold or marketed door-to-door
- ask for photo ID and get the name of the person and the business
- never share personal information for example, an electricity or gas bill)
- if you ask a salesperson to leave, they must leave right away. If you feel unsafe, call local police
- look at the company name on the salesperson’s business card and promotional material and see if it matches the company name on the proposed contract
- do not rely on a salesperson’s opinion that your water heater is unsafe or should be replaced
- local utility companies, municipalities, government agencies or regulatory organizations don’t send salespeople door-to-door
- you do not have to sign a contract on the spot
For more info please visit the Government of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/door-door-sales-and-home-service-contracts
Tips from Ontario.ca on how to be Bear Wise this Spring
April 19th, 2024
April 19th, 2024
Garbage:
Bird feeders:
Fruits and berries:
Pet food:
Barbecue:
For more info visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/bear-wise-tips-and-tools#athome
- put garbage out only on the morning of garbage day, not the night before
- put meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day
- put garbage in containers that have tight-fitting lids and store it in a bear-proof location such as your basement or a sturdy garage
- frequently wash garbage cans and recycle containers and lids with a strong-smelling disinfectant, such as bleach
- take garbage to the dump often, if you do not have curbside pick-up
Bird feeders:
- fill bird feeders only through the winter months
- put away feeders in the spring and instead, offer birds natural alternatives (for example, flowers, nesting boxes and fresh water)
Fruits and berries:
- pick all ripe and fallen fruit from trees and shrubs on your property
- plant non-fruit bearing trees and shrubs
Pet food:
- do not leave pet food outdoors, in screened-in areas or porches
- keep your dogs on a leash
- check the yard before you let your pets out and watch them while they’re outside
- turn on yard lights at night to scan surroundings before letting your pet out after dark
Barbecue:
- burn off food residue and wash the grill right away
- empty the grease trap every time you barbecue
- remove all utensils, dishes and food after eating
- be aware that cooking odours can attract bears
For more info visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/bear-wise-tips-and-tools#athome
With Earth Day coming up this Monday on April 22nd, the City of Ottawa has a variety of ways to stay Green!
April 19th, 2024
April 19th, 2024
Cleaning the Capital Program: Ottawa.ca/Clean
Key Spring Campaign DatesMarch 15: Registration opens
April 15 to May 31: Cleaning the Capital Spring Campaign
April 22: Earth Day 2024
May 3: Registration closes
June 15: Deadline to submit online cleanup reports
The Repair Café Series (tomorrow at City Hall, April 20th 10am- 2pm): Waste reduction and education | City of Ottawa
Repair Cafés aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and building community! Ottawa Tool Library’s fixers and menders will be sharing their knowledge and skills around fixing everything from darning socks to re-wiring kettles.
There will be free repairs of electronics, clothing, small appliances, jewelry and more! At the same time, learn new skills, enjoy coffee and snack and meet your neighbours! For more information, visit ottawatoollibrary.com/repair-cafe
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program: Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program – BetterHomesOttawa
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program (BHOLP) continues to support Ottawa residents in undertaking improvements to their properties that lower utility costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the overall resiliency of the property.
Give your input on Climate Ready Ottawa's Draft Climate Resiliency Strategy: Climate Resiliency Strategy | Engage Ottawa
Ottawa’s climate is changing. Overall Ottawa will become much warmer and wetter over the coming decades, with more extreme heat days, heavy rain and extreme weather events like severe winds, floods or winter storms. The City is developing a Climate Resiliency Strategy to guide how Ottawa can prepare for and respond to the anticipated impacts of changing climate conditions.
The Climate Resiliency Strategy is one of eight priorities of the Climate Change Master Plan(External link)
Key Spring Campaign DatesMarch 15: Registration opens
April 15 to May 31: Cleaning the Capital Spring Campaign
April 22: Earth Day 2024
May 3: Registration closes
June 15: Deadline to submit online cleanup reports
The Repair Café Series (tomorrow at City Hall, April 20th 10am- 2pm): Waste reduction and education | City of Ottawa
Repair Cafés aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and building community! Ottawa Tool Library’s fixers and menders will be sharing their knowledge and skills around fixing everything from darning socks to re-wiring kettles.
There will be free repairs of electronics, clothing, small appliances, jewelry and more! At the same time, learn new skills, enjoy coffee and snack and meet your neighbours! For more information, visit ottawatoollibrary.com/repair-cafe
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program: Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program – BetterHomesOttawa
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program (BHOLP) continues to support Ottawa residents in undertaking improvements to their properties that lower utility costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the overall resiliency of the property.
Give your input on Climate Ready Ottawa's Draft Climate Resiliency Strategy: Climate Resiliency Strategy | Engage Ottawa
Ottawa’s climate is changing. Overall Ottawa will become much warmer and wetter over the coming decades, with more extreme heat days, heavy rain and extreme weather events like severe winds, floods or winter storms. The City is developing a Climate Resiliency Strategy to guide how Ottawa can prepare for and respond to the anticipated impacts of changing climate conditions.
The Climate Resiliency Strategy is one of eight priorities of the Climate Change Master Plan(External link)
Keep your household items out of the landfill by visiting an upcoming Repair Café
April 18th, 2024
April 18th, 2024
From clothing to small appliances, keep your favourite household items out of the landfill with the help of a Repair Café. These free, community-led events aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and providing an opportunity to enjoy coffee and snacks while meeting your neighbours.
With several Repair Cafés coming up this year, including four sponsored by the City of Ottawa, volunteer fixers and menders from Ottawa Tool Library will be at events throughout the city sharing their knowledge and helping to repair items like electronics, textiles, small appliances, jewelry and more!
With several Repair Cafés coming up this year, including four sponsored by the City of Ottawa, volunteer fixers and menders from Ottawa Tool Library will be at events throughout the city sharing their knowledge and helping to repair items like electronics, textiles, small appliances, jewelry and more!
Feature story
From clothing to small appliances, keep your favourite household items out of the landfill with the help of a Repair Café. These free, community-led events aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and providing an opportunity to enjoy coffee and snacks while meeting your neighbours.
With several Repair Cafés coming up this year, including four sponsored by the City of Ottawa, volunteer fixers and menders from Ottawa Tool Library will be at events throughout the city sharing their knowledge and helping to repair items like electronics, textiles, small appliances, jewelry and more!
In anticipation of these exciting events, we spoke with Ottawa Tool Library volunteer, Carl Chenier to hear about his experience with Repair Cafés and to learn what residents can expect at the upcoming events.
"Repair Cafés are a free community event that have a focus on repairing things such as small household items and clothing," Carl explained.
"Generally, people bring broken items, and the Ottawa Tool Library volunteers assess and repair the items to the best that they can. It helps people keep their things longer, promotes circular economy and keeps things out of the landfill."
"All Repair Cafés follow a similar format," he added. "You bring along your items to be repaired and follow the signs to the registration desk. From there, you will chat with a fixer or mender about the item."
"Sometimes people also bring items that they have tried to repair themselves but have come to an impasse, so what’s great is that a lot of people are there to learn how to repair things themselves and the volunteers are happy to walk them through the repair process."
"We try to be as broad and inclusive as possible in what we fix, however, we do not usually fix gas-powered items such as gas-powered chainsaws, but basically anything else under the sun is welcome!"
We also asked Carl about the most interesting item he has repaired.
"They are all interesting in their own way. If I had to pick one, there was a lady who had an electric mixer that she bought in 1972. She took me through the life of the mixer before she brought it to the Repair Café 50 years later."
"That’s the theme of a lot of the items – they are important to people, and they want to keep them for as long as possible. We are always happy to support that initiative."
Check the list below for dates and locations of the Repair Cafés taking place in 2024:
Saturday, April 20 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Jean Pigott Place, City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, May 11 - Sponsored by Councillor Carr
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre – Ellwood Hall
1265 Walkley Road
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, June 22 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Ray Friel Recreation Complex - Fallingbrook room
1585 Tenth Line Road
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday August 10
Zibi on Booth St (Just north of the Canadian War Museum)
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, October 5 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Walter Baker Sports Centre - Halls A&B
100 Malvern Drive
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday August 10
Zibi on Booth St (Just north of the Canadian War Museum)
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, November 30 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Tony Graham Recreation Complex, Kanata - Hall A
100 Charlie Rogers Place
10 am to 2 pm
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
From clothing to small appliances, keep your favourite household items out of the landfill with the help of a Repair Café. These free, community-led events aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and providing an opportunity to enjoy coffee and snacks while meeting your neighbours.
With several Repair Cafés coming up this year, including four sponsored by the City of Ottawa, volunteer fixers and menders from Ottawa Tool Library will be at events throughout the city sharing their knowledge and helping to repair items like electronics, textiles, small appliances, jewelry and more!
In anticipation of these exciting events, we spoke with Ottawa Tool Library volunteer, Carl Chenier to hear about his experience with Repair Cafés and to learn what residents can expect at the upcoming events.
"Repair Cafés are a free community event that have a focus on repairing things such as small household items and clothing," Carl explained.
"Generally, people bring broken items, and the Ottawa Tool Library volunteers assess and repair the items to the best that they can. It helps people keep their things longer, promotes circular economy and keeps things out of the landfill."
"All Repair Cafés follow a similar format," he added. "You bring along your items to be repaired and follow the signs to the registration desk. From there, you will chat with a fixer or mender about the item."
"Sometimes people also bring items that they have tried to repair themselves but have come to an impasse, so what’s great is that a lot of people are there to learn how to repair things themselves and the volunteers are happy to walk them through the repair process."
"We try to be as broad and inclusive as possible in what we fix, however, we do not usually fix gas-powered items such as gas-powered chainsaws, but basically anything else under the sun is welcome!"
We also asked Carl about the most interesting item he has repaired.
"They are all interesting in their own way. If I had to pick one, there was a lady who had an electric mixer that she bought in 1972. She took me through the life of the mixer before she brought it to the Repair Café 50 years later."
"That’s the theme of a lot of the items – they are important to people, and they want to keep them for as long as possible. We are always happy to support that initiative."
Check the list below for dates and locations of the Repair Cafés taking place in 2024:
Saturday, April 20 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Jean Pigott Place, City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, May 11 - Sponsored by Councillor Carr
Jim Durrell Recreation Centre – Ellwood Hall
1265 Walkley Road
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, June 22 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Ray Friel Recreation Complex - Fallingbrook room
1585 Tenth Line Road
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday August 10
Zibi on Booth St (Just north of the Canadian War Museum)
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, October 5 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Walter Baker Sports Centre - Halls A&B
100 Malvern Drive
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday August 10
Zibi on Booth St (Just north of the Canadian War Museum)
10 am to 2 pm
Saturday, November 30 - Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Tony Graham Recreation Complex, Kanata - Hall A
100 Charlie Rogers Place
10 am to 2 pm
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
September 1st, 2023
We received the below memo from Ottawa Student Transportation Authority regarding a solutions timeline:
OSTA staff is working diligently to get our transportation system up and running for the first day of school. We understand that many students do not have transportation available due to long-termcancellations and this is frustrating and disappointing. More than 65,000 students are still accessing the system, however, and we are currently working with Operators to ensure their service is safe and timely.
OSTA fully commits to looking and finding alternate transportation solutions for many of those whose transportation is unavailable. Our intention is to begin making changes to the system to address service disruptions in two weeks, once we can be confident that the system is reasonably stable. OSTA staff also need time to find the options, make agreements with potential vendors, make changes to routes, contact drivers and parents/guardians and finally, deliver the new service.
In the meantime, for those residing in the Urban Transit Area, OSTA is making Single Ride Vouchers (Link: https://ottawaschoolbus.jotform.com/OSTA/SingleRideVoucher) available for students and their parents/guardians/caretakers to take OC Transpo to and from school on already established routes.
If you know anyone who may be interested in becoming a bus driver, or have a large community network through social media, we encourage you to spread the word about https://www.driveyellow.ca/
This website provides all the information necessary to learn about qualifications, training, operators and has an easy
application process.
We appreciate your patience during these trying times.
OSTA staff is working diligently to get our transportation system up and running for the first day of school. We understand that many students do not have transportation available due to long-termcancellations and this is frustrating and disappointing. More than 65,000 students are still accessing the system, however, and we are currently working with Operators to ensure their service is safe and timely.
OSTA fully commits to looking and finding alternate transportation solutions for many of those whose transportation is unavailable. Our intention is to begin making changes to the system to address service disruptions in two weeks, once we can be confident that the system is reasonably stable. OSTA staff also need time to find the options, make agreements with potential vendors, make changes to routes, contact drivers and parents/guardians and finally, deliver the new service.
In the meantime, for those residing in the Urban Transit Area, OSTA is making Single Ride Vouchers (Link: https://ottawaschoolbus.jotform.com/OSTA/SingleRideVoucher) available for students and their parents/guardians/caretakers to take OC Transpo to and from school on already established routes.
If you know anyone who may be interested in becoming a bus driver, or have a large community network through social media, we encourage you to spread the word about https://www.driveyellow.ca/
This website provides all the information necessary to learn about qualifications, training, operators and has an easy
application process.
We appreciate your patience during these trying times.
November 14th, 2023
Car Thefts/Attempted Thefts in the Area
Over the past Weekend, in the Kanata/Stittsville area, a total of 8 vehicles were stolen or were attempted to be stolen. 3 of the 8 vehicles were in Kanata South.
Below is information from the Ottawa Police Service on how thieves are committing these thefts and safety tips to prevent them.
Two types of Thefts
For this kind of theft, you will likely have one suspect at the front door using an antenna loop and a second suspect at the driver’s door to pick up the amplified signal and connect to the vehicle.
For both of these types of theft there is a reprogramming timing delay. Here are things to look for:
SAFETY TIPS
Make your vehicle less vulnerable to theft by parking it in a locked garage and/or by blocking it in tightly with a second vehicle. Exterior lighting and video surveillance around the driveway can also serve as a deterrent.
Report any suspicious activity immediately to police, don’t engage with the subject(s), call 911 if you feel a theft of a vehicle is in progress or call 613-236-1222 if suspicious circumstances are observed.
File a Report - Ottawa Police Service
Car Thefts/Attempted Thefts in the Area
Over the past Weekend, in the Kanata/Stittsville area, a total of 8 vehicles were stolen or were attempted to be stolen. 3 of the 8 vehicles were in Kanata South.
Below is information from the Ottawa Police Service on how thieves are committing these thefts and safety tips to prevent them.
Two types of Thefts
- Mechanical breach of driver’s door, OBD (On-Board Diagnostic tool) reprogramming using Xtool or similar device, blank key fob/device is programmed, and vehicle is stolen.
- Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA) - (RFID) – legitimate owner fobs (left by the front door) have the signal amplified to a blank fob, tricking the vehicle in unlocking and starting.
For this kind of theft, you will likely have one suspect at the front door using an antenna loop and a second suspect at the driver’s door to pick up the amplified signal and connect to the vehicle.
For both of these types of theft there is a reprogramming timing delay. Here are things to look for:
- Suspect “safe” Vehicles (parked on street)
- Look outs
- Suspicious persons around front doors to home or the vehicle.
SAFETY TIPS
Make your vehicle less vulnerable to theft by parking it in a locked garage and/or by blocking it in tightly with a second vehicle. Exterior lighting and video surveillance around the driveway can also serve as a deterrent.
- Consider installing an after-market electronic immobilizer device, which can interfere with the starting of the vehicle.
- Consider protecting your vehicle with such devices as car alarms or steering wheel locking devices such as "The Club".
- GPS tracking devices/Air Tag, have become increasingly popular, however thieves are now are using detectors to remove tracking devices.
- Install an ECM port lock
- Keep in mind that thieves have to “hang around” or return to steal the reprogrammed fobbed vehicle, so remain vigilant, look for safe vehicles, suspicious persons, look outs.
- For SARA entry – Purchase Car Key Signal Blocker Pouch, Faraday Bag for Keyless Car RFID Blocking, Anti-Theft Remote Entry
Report any suspicious activity immediately to police, don’t engage with the subject(s), call 911 if you feel a theft of a vehicle is in progress or call 613-236-1222 if suspicious circumstances are observed.
File a Report - Ottawa Police Service
December 19th, 2022
Hey folks, I know a lot of residents have been worrying about the increase in vehicle thefts in the city so here is a post with some helpful tips from the OPS.
Please remember to lock your vehicles this Holiday Season-
The Ottawa Police Service is advising residents to be vigilant in light of an emerging trend of daylight-hour vehicle thefts. Thieves are taking advantage of unattended vehicles in parking lots to steal cars, SUVs or trucks.
Police are seeing a surge in Ottawa where vehicles are being stolen from parking lots of grocery stores, recreation and sporting venues and shopping malls during daylight hours.
There has been an undeniable spike in thefts of the following newer model vehicles:
Residents with any model of vehicle with a proximity key (push to start ignition) should be vigilant as these vehicles are amongst those being targeted.
Ottawa police report that in 2022, 1160 vehicles have been reported stolen. Of them, 173 have been recovered, 71 of them in November.
Owners are encouraged to be vigilant when leaving their vehicle to do shopping. One way to prevent vehicle theft is to be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the Ottawa Police Services. For your safety, OPS discourages members of the public from engaging with people you think are in the process of stealing a car.
Not sure what an attempt at vehicle theft may look like? Here’s what to watch for:
Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention measures:
Hey folks, I know a lot of residents have been worrying about the increase in vehicle thefts in the city so here is a post with some helpful tips from the OPS.
Please remember to lock your vehicles this Holiday Season-
The Ottawa Police Service is advising residents to be vigilant in light of an emerging trend of daylight-hour vehicle thefts. Thieves are taking advantage of unattended vehicles in parking lots to steal cars, SUVs or trucks.
Police are seeing a surge in Ottawa where vehicles are being stolen from parking lots of grocery stores, recreation and sporting venues and shopping malls during daylight hours.
There has been an undeniable spike in thefts of the following newer model vehicles:
- Honda (specifically CRVs)
- Acura
- Dodge Durango
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Toyota Highlanders
- Lexus RX
- Ford F-Series trucks
Residents with any model of vehicle with a proximity key (push to start ignition) should be vigilant as these vehicles are amongst those being targeted.
Ottawa police report that in 2022, 1160 vehicles have been reported stolen. Of them, 173 have been recovered, 71 of them in November.
Owners are encouraged to be vigilant when leaving their vehicle to do shopping. One way to prevent vehicle theft is to be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the Ottawa Police Services. For your safety, OPS discourages members of the public from engaging with people you think are in the process of stealing a car.
Not sure what an attempt at vehicle theft may look like? Here’s what to watch for:
- The driver-side door is mechanically breached to gain access to the car. Once entry is gained thieves access the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) port to reprogram a new key. This remains the most common type of vehicle theft and it is not deterred using a Radio Frequency Shield (known as a ‘Faraday bag/box’).
- The Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA) is not a common technique in Ottawa -- however police continue to raise public awareness about this method, where thieves use an amplification device to amplify the signal emanating from the key fob inside the house. That signal is then relayed to the car which unlocks the vehicle and allows it to be started. This type of theft will be deterred using a Radio Frequency Shield (the Faraday bag/box.)
Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention measures:
- Park inside a garage if available (in Ottawa, no vehicle has been stolen from inside a residential garage)
- Install an ECM port lock
- Install an after-market vehicle immobilizer and/or alarm
- Use a steering wheel lock (i.e., “Club”) to deter thieves (keep in mind they can cut the steering wheel to remove it)
- Install after-market tracking devices or “GPS” – many of these have the ability to “fence in your car” notifying the owner’s smart phone if the vehicle leaves the established perimeter (keep in mind many thieves have been disabling the GPS system, removing the vehicle’s antenna, or carrying a portable signal blocker to prevent the vehicle’s location from being detected)
- Install motion detection lights and exterior surveillance cameras at home – these can act as a deterrent and are very reasonably priced now (the same portable signal blocker can also disable these cameras)
- Keep in mind that thieves have returned to steal the replacement vehicle from a previous theft so remain vigilant.
- Neighbourhood Watch is still the best defense – so please report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222. If you can, obtain a vehicle description and license plate.
- If you are selling your vehicle, be wary not to let anyone have access to your car keys and do not let your vehicle out of your sight. This prevents a thief from copying your key during a “test drive” so they can return to steal it.
November 7, 2022
Sharp increase of Vehicle thefts in Ottawa – How to better protect your vehicle
“We have noted a shift in trends regarding vehicle thefts as we are now seeing a sudden spike in CRV thefts from owner driveways and more vehicles being taken from car dealerships outside their hours of operation, ” said Detective Doug Belanger of the Central Criminal Investigation Unit.
These thefts are not limited to Honda/Acura products. They are expanding to include all makes and models of vehicles that are equipped with a proximity key (i.e. push-button start). Newer models of Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlanders, Lexus RX as well as Ford F-Series trucks (higher trim level) have been targeted by thieves in Ottawa since the beginning of the year.
Owners of high theft vehicles are encouraged to report attempted vehicle thefts to police, including incidents where there is no damage to the vehicle, but factory key fobs no longer work.
Vehicle thefts generally occur in one of two ways:
1. The driver-side door is mechanically breached – at which point thieves access the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) port to reprogram a new key. This remains the most common type of vehicle theft and it is not deterred by the use of a Radio Frequency Shield (known as a ‘Faraday bag/box’.)
2. The Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA) is not a common technique in Ottawa -- however police continue to raise public awareness about this means where thieves use an amplification device to amplify the signal emanating from the key fob inside the house. That signal is then relayed to the car which unlocks the vehicle and allows it to be started. This type of theft will be deterred by the use of a Radio Frequency Shield (the Faraday bag/box.)
Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention measures:
Sharp increase of Vehicle thefts in Ottawa – How to better protect your vehicle
“We have noted a shift in trends regarding vehicle thefts as we are now seeing a sudden spike in CRV thefts from owner driveways and more vehicles being taken from car dealerships outside their hours of operation, ” said Detective Doug Belanger of the Central Criminal Investigation Unit.
These thefts are not limited to Honda/Acura products. They are expanding to include all makes and models of vehicles that are equipped with a proximity key (i.e. push-button start). Newer models of Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlanders, Lexus RX as well as Ford F-Series trucks (higher trim level) have been targeted by thieves in Ottawa since the beginning of the year.
Owners of high theft vehicles are encouraged to report attempted vehicle thefts to police, including incidents where there is no damage to the vehicle, but factory key fobs no longer work.
Vehicle thefts generally occur in one of two ways:
1. The driver-side door is mechanically breached – at which point thieves access the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) port to reprogram a new key. This remains the most common type of vehicle theft and it is not deterred by the use of a Radio Frequency Shield (known as a ‘Faraday bag/box’.)
2. The Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA) is not a common technique in Ottawa -- however police continue to raise public awareness about this means where thieves use an amplification device to amplify the signal emanating from the key fob inside the house. That signal is then relayed to the car which unlocks the vehicle and allows it to be started. This type of theft will be deterred by the use of a Radio Frequency Shield (the Faraday bag/box.)
Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention measures:
- Park inside a garage if available (in Ottawa, no vehicle was stolen from inside a garage);
- Block your vehicle in tightly against a second less sought after vehicle;
- Use a steering wheel lock (i.e. “Club”) to deter thieves (keep in mind they can cut the steering wheel to remove it);
- Install an Engine Control Module (ECM) port lock;
- Install an after-market vehicle immobilizer and alarm;
- Install after-market tracking devices or “GPS” – many of these have the ability to “fence in your car” notifying the owner’s smart phone if the vehicle leaves the established perimeter;
- Install motion detection lights and exterior surveillance cameras at home – these can act as a deterrent;
- Keep in mind that thieves have returned to steal the replacement vehicle when a vehicle had been stolen, so remain vigilant;
- Neighbourhood watch is still the best defense – so please report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222.