'Bait cars' to be used in new crackdown on theft in transit parking lots

CALGARY - Transit officials and police are putting bait cars in LRT park-and-ride lots to target auto theft and other vehicle-related crimes around C-Train stations.

The new program, which will be officially rolled out later this morning, the latest component of a plan announced last year to beef up safety and security on the transit system.

Calgary Transit said last June that it will spend part of the $4.5 million in annual revenue expected from parking fees on new security measures, including a team of eight peace offices patrolling properties on mountain bikes.

Transit began charging $3 a day for parking last spring, saying the money will be used for security initiatives, as well as improvements and upkeep items such as snow-clearing, painting lines and enforcing parking fees.

Bait cars are regular vehicles equipped with global positioning equipment, a secret camera and an engine immobilizer. They're parked in hot spots where other auto thefts have happened.

When stolen, a message alerts police, the thief is caught on camera and the engine is shut down remotely.

Officials will release more details about the bait car program in park-and-ride lots later this morning. Calgary police began using bait cars in the fall of 2008.

jvanrassel@theherald.canwest.com