Toronto police have been criticized for advising residents to leave car keys accessible to thieves

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by Alyssa Guzman

Toronto police are being ridiculed for advising Canadians to preemptively give thieves their car keys to avoid potential violent altercations.

Police issued strange information as the number of thieves breaking into homes and stealing people's cars increases.

“To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your chains at the front door because they break into your house to steal your car; they don't want anything else,” Marco Ricciardi said last month. According to what was reported by City News.

Toronto police have advised residents to leave their keys in a Faraday bag outside their doors to discourage thieves, who are often armed, from entering their homes.

Their advice was quickly picked up, prompting the department to take action Issuing a statement Wednesday Defending their intentions as “good faith.”

But Canadians still don't like this “weird” advice.

“Toronto Police advise the public to leave their belongings near the door. They suggest this is because invaders enter homes primarily to steal your cars. Why not hang your keys outside the door? Or better yet, just leave them in the car.” One X user wrote.

Another woman is fed up “It's also advisable to leave a cold beer and some cookies,” she added her sarcastic suggestion. “If things get rough, TPS will sort things out with fresh hot coffee.”

Another accused police officer Of the “nation-wide failed craze” and the authorities were jokingly saying: “Guys, would you mind making it easier for people to steal your cars so they don't break into your house instead?” Thanks – Toronto Police.”

One user simply asked the police to do their job, Write on X: “There are laws in place for a reason. We need to use them and enforce them.”

Another joked: “Canada. Where you can't defend your property. Just hand it over.”

On Wednesday, the police department suggested other ways to prevent car thefts outside of practically handing over your keys, which include parking vehicles in a garage, adding extra exterior lighting, and installing security cameras.

Car thefts are up nearly 25% in 2023 from the previous year, and home break-ins and car thefts are up 400%, according to Toronto police.

The problem has gotten so bad that another Canadian law enforcement agency, York Regional Police, has begun distributing door stops to residents to help prevent thieves from opening their doors to steal keys, according to City News.

The Post has reached out to Toronto police for comment.