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http://www.pne.ca/ Bait cars to be 'all around the PNE' to deter auto theft Five cars stolen in 2007 with program in place, 31 without it in '06 David Hogben Vancouver Sun Saturday, August 16, 2008 VANCOUVER - Police are warning car thieves to steer clear of the Pacific National Exhibition. "We want to send a clear message: 'Steal a car around here and you will be arrested,'" said Sgt. Gord Elias, of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Automobile Crime Team. Elias said the anti-auto theft unit will be in force at this year's fair, which opens today. A number of bait cars will be stationed around the PNE on neighbouring streets in an effort to combat auto theft. Bait cars are equipped with audio and visual recording systems as well as GPS monitoring which allow police to collect evidence and track the whereabouts of car thieves. They also contain systems which police can use to disable a vehicle by remote control. Police have used the cars in the past, including at last year's PNE, to deter auto theft. "We are going to have bait cars planted all around the PNE on the outside streets," Elias said. In 2007, only five cars were stolen from the neighbourhoods immediately surrounding the area of end-of-summer fair and five were broken into. In 2006, when bait cars weren't used, 31 cars stolen around the PNE and 26 were broken into. Elias said a helicopter and dogs will be also be in the area. dhogben@vancouversun.com © The Vancouver Sun 2008 http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=26be12a9-61c1-49f4-a930-1c33de9b3553