The Integrated Municipal Provincal Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada has followed the lead of several other major metro areas and introduced "bait cars" to catch auto thieves. They park an attractive car in a high-crime area, and in no time, a thief breaks in and drives off. Except with a bait car, there are cameras everywhere and the car can be shut down with the flip of a switch.
The best part, though, is that they are now posting video clips from their "bait car busts" on the web. It's like "Cops" meets "America's Funniest Home Videos."
Auto theft is a big problem here. I think this could work. We seize our share of sweet rides. The videocameras and kill switch aren't prohibitively expensive. In fact, I can see a private-public partnership. Akamai Bait Car Inc. sets up the cars, catches the criminals, and just holds the moron trapped inside until the cops catch up. The cops have all the evidence they need. Meanwhile, the company can sell the videos (or access to the videos online).
The best part, though, is that they are now posting video clips from their "bait car busts" on the web. It's like "Cops" meets "America's Funniest Home Videos."
Auto theft is a big problem here. I think this could work. We seize our share of sweet rides. The videocameras and kill switch aren't prohibitively expensive. In fact, I can see a private-public partnership. Akamai Bait Car Inc. sets up the cars, catches the criminals, and just holds the moron trapped inside until the cops catch up. The cops have all the evidence they need. Meanwhile, the company can sell the videos (or access to the videos online).
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