News release
Richmond RCMP highlights enforcement tools and volunteer support during Auto Crime Enforcement Month
April 8, 2026
-
Richmond, British Columbia
From: Richmond RCMP
On this page
Content
Richmond RCMP is marking Auto Crime Enforcement Month this April by showcasing the detachment’s prevention-focused strategy, including high-visibility patrols and strong partnerships with volunteers and partner agencies.
This year’s campaign features a new video demonstrating the Bait Car program, one of B.C.’s most effective and well-established auto-crime enforcement tools, which is administrated by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT).
While Richmond continues to see positive long-term improvement in auto crime indicators, with auto theft down 18 percent in 2025 from 2024, continuing an overall five-year improvement trend, officers remain committed to proactive enforcement to combat theft at every scale.
“Our approach to combatting auto crime involves preventing what we can, disrupting what we can’t prevent, and enforcing the law when crime occurs,” said Cst. Frank Bryson, Richmond RCMP Media Relations Officer. “The video shows the technology at work but also shows the key role residents play in reducing opportunities for auto crime.”
New video shows how Bait Cars stop thieves
Transcript
Video description:
[An RCMP officer speaks into camera.]
“What tools do we have to combat car thieves?”
[Wide frame shows the officer standing beside a nondescript car.]
“One of the tools we have is our Bait Car.”
[A title appears reading: “Bait Car” with an arrow pointing to the car.]
“What’s a bait car? It's a high-tech vehicle owned by the RCMP that is designed to combat car theft.” “Once the car is stolen, the culprit is recorded on audio and video.”
[A hidden camera inside the bait car shows a thief in a bait car.]
[A computer shows the vehicle is on the move.]
[“Bait Car ACTIVATED” flashes in the background on the computer screen]
“Our officers remotely track and disable the vehicle’s engine.”
[An operator responds by typing on the keyboard.]
[The operator speaks into her headset.]
“Then, we make the arrest and take another car thief off the road.”
[A police car flashing its lights, pulls up behind the Bait Car.]
[The RCMP officer speaks into camera.]
“Now here’s how you can keep thieves out of your vehicle. Keep keys out of your car and don't leave your vehicle running by itself. Using anti-theft devices is a great deterrent.”
[A split screen next to the officer shows one at a time: a hand taking keys out of a car, keys turning off the vehicle's ignition, and a steering wheel lock in action.]
“We’re not done. We will continue our efforts to reduce car thefts.”
[RCMP/GRC copyright notice appears]
[Government of Canada wordmark with a waving Canadian flag appears.]
The newly released video walks viewers through how Bait Cars are used in cities like Richmond:
- Specially equipped vehicles record suspects and transmit information to police
- Officers can safely track and remotely disable the engine
- The system can help remove prolific offenders from the streets
The video ends with practical steps drivers can take such as removing keys, never leaving cars idling, and using visible anti-theft devices.
Auto crime prevention relies on visibility, education, and community involvement
Richmond RCMP continues to use a layered approach to reducing auto crime. The strategy includes high-visibility policing, including a dedicated foot and bike patrol unit that operates in urban areas, neighbourhoods, and high-traffic parking locations. Foot and bike patrols increase officer visibility, support proactive engagement with residents and businesses, and deter opportunistic theft from vehicles.
Police crime analysts identify hot spots and work closely with investigators to address emerging trends.
Volunteers play a crucial role in auto-crime prevention
Richmond RCMP is also recognizing the contribution of its trained volunteers whose work through the community policing program helps prevent and disrupt auto crime:
- Stolen Auto Recovery Program: Volunteers patrol neighbourhoods using real-time lists of stolen vehicles and report possible matches to police.
- Lock Out Auto Crime audits: Volunteers conduct prevention patrols in parking lots, distributing reminder notices for drivers to secure their vehicles and remove valuables.
“Our volunteers extend our reach in ways that make a measurable difference,” Cst. Bryson said. “Their presence and contributions are invaluable to investigators.”
Get involved
Richmond residents can help reduce crime in their neighbourhoods by joining Block Watch, Community Police Volunteers, or Richmond’s newly updated RCMP Auxiliary program.
For more information and application details, please visit the Richmond RCMP website.