Red Deer RCMP takes part in province-wide initiative for unattended idling vehicles

The Red Deer RCMP recently participated in a province-wide initiative with a goal to reduce thefts of idling vehicles during the winter.

From Jan. 20 to 24, the RCMP took part in Operation Cold Start, where officers checked unattended vehicles in the community to look if keys were left inside and if the vehicles were properly locked.

This allowed the police to educate residents on the best ways to prevent vehicle theft during the winter months.

During that time, Red Deer RCMP found 12 unlocked cars left idling with the keys in the ignition and 61 that were locked with the keys left in the ignition.