A recent audit conducted by RCMP officers shows many residents in Portage la Prairie are not sufficiently securing their vehicles.

The RCMP says in a release a city-wide audit was conducted on unsecured parked vehicles April 14. In an effort to increase awareness of vehicle related crimes, officers went to the four corners of the city, selecting vehicles randomly, and checking to see if they met certain criteria.

Police used a pamphlet to mark down any deficiencies. Officers kept track of how many vehicles were locked or unlocked. Auditors also noted any items that were clearly visible inside the vehicle, which could have been stolen by thieves regardless if the vehicle was locked or not.

The audit found 35 % of vehicles check were unsecured or had valuable items in plain sight. Police say the number is too high, as it provides ample opportunity for vehicle related crimes to thrive in Portage.

“The numbers are surprising to most of us here and I imagine they will be to the community,” said Const. Sean O'Keefe. “Especially since these kind of crimes happen across the city and province. Most people have been affected by it; Either they've had something stolen themselves or knows someone who has been a victim.”

Mounties encourage everyone to be mindful of this fact when leaving their vehicle unattended, and to do what they can to help drop that number.

Const. Many of the Portage la Prairie RCMP: “We plan to perform another audit in the near future. We would like to see more vehicles secured after we get the message out there.”

Police say the results from a second audit will be provided when available.