Many have been asking where funding for the bait car program comes from.
Here is the answer: Policing in the Province of British Columbia is directed through the Ministry of Solicitor General, Police Services Division. This ministry provided funding for the bait car program with an initial first year start-up cost of approximately $600,000 that covered the purchase of vehicles and equipment for the bait car fleet. ICBC, along with a number of private sponsors, have also supported the program through an award-winning advertising campaign.
In 2004, the advertising budget was approximately $400,000. The IMPACT bait car program is now the largest of its kind in North America. Under the leadership of Solicitor General John Les, the program has now expanded to Vancouver Island with plans to expand further into the interior of British Columbia. The bait car program is a perfect example of a crime reduction strategy that really works. After ten straight years of climbing auto theft rates in British Columbia, we have now seen a 55% reduction in auto theft over the past six years.
Bait cars are everywhere. Steal one, go to jail.
