Theft proofing the APEX? After near theft....

[actionjack]

I've been reading a few online news stories about snowmobile theft in Quebec. Most seem to say the same thing: a local government official stating that theft is under control and the police are stepping up patrols while hotel owners are increasing video surveillance and installing fenced secure parking lots. One story was bold enough to say "we are the same as other snowmobile destinations in North America where theft is concerned". If I was a municipal official looking out for tourism in my area, I'd probably say the same.

HMMMM. I wonder if that article was in one of the sled mags. And if it mentions a particular area of Quebec??? Note the date. Those efforts stemmed the theft a little from '05 - '12. Just as the border guards told us, the theft "exploded" last season.

I've been riding QC since 2006. Our economy has been #*$&@ for years now. Almost every year when I'm in remote places I have been asked why aren't more Americans coming now. To that end I am not singling out the theft but I am sure that the more of us go the better off they are, especially the remote outfitters. We may still go but we will just take better precautions. Its clear some won't go for this reason. If it happens to us again we'll be in that club.

As for disabling devices, this does not prevent parting out the sled or vehicles for money. What needs to happen is tracking devices like LoJack so they can track down the perpetrators and prosecute them. Note its said often that organized crime plays because the punishment in Canada is low for vehicle theft. So the risk reward proposition is a better value for them. Tell me that doesn't make the authorities complicit.

 

[nate007]

Funny you should mention Lojack, actionjack. I have a good friend/customers 68 Camaro here in my shop for a restoration that has a Lojack in it, and I can attest that it works!!
I loaded the car on a trailer, bound for a show, and when I took off, I accidentally forgot the keys on the workbench. I didn't make it 10 miles away and got a call from my friend in LA asking if I had moved the car because Lojack had called.. I have since completely stripped the car to a bare shell, and know that the Lojack equipment is roughly the size of a pager, with no antennas or external devices, and can be hidden in the hardest places to locate. Classic car versions are self powered as well, and will still function even if the battery is disconnected. Lojack also alerted us when the fob batteries were going dead. It works on the principle of the vehicle moving WITHOUT the key fob moving with it, so if you leave the keys in it, it's your own fault.. Lol

I also have to correct my earlier statement that I didn't know anyone who has had a sled stolen, because just last night my neighbor (about 10 houses down the street) had his Artcic Cat Z1 Jaguar stolen out of his driveway. He had it right in front of his garage door, and was going to pull it in and thaw it out, but said he got tired and went to bed, not being too concerned about it. I drove by this morning to see a sheriff at his house taking the report. He said he had the key with him, so it was taken without the key. I noticed on my way home last night that they (he has 2 of them, one was inside) weren't outside as they always are when there's snow on the ground.
We both suspect that it was local kids, as the neighborhood we live in has never been known for criminal activity other than stupid local kids breaking into cars a couple summers back. We've got a hunch that it'll show up in a ditch withinin a few miles away soon, or they'll be dumb enough to try to buy a key for it at the local AC dealer (also a good friend..)

I did contact Lojack to get some more info, as this would be something that would be a benifit to my car biz as well, so when I hear back from them, I'll get some more info. I do know that Lojack isn't something that is normally installed by the consumer, as the equipment is hidden and not indented to be identified (hence, no pics on their site). But they do say it works where GPS doesn't, in places like inside steel or concrete buildings. they also claim a 90% recovery rate within 24 hours or your money back. Might be a good idea for those who travel with your sleds to at least park them in a trailer with a Lojack, or install one on your sleds. Might be worth the investment!

 

[actionjack]

I have communicated with LoJack in the past and have been given conflicting information regarding cross border function. I've been told it does work in Canada and I've been told the US version does not work in Canada.

There is also a power sports type of LoJack thing made by an Ontario company (Sky-Link) but their website is very cheesy and I could not find any info pertaining to Canada coverage.

Now you got me worried. My sled is in the front yard from just coming back from a ride.

 

[raginyamaha]

Seems like stings with the authorities involved where they have tracking devices in the sleds are in order here. Gets taken and they can track it to where it stops and move in quick before the sled is gone. Good place to start if you ask me

 

[Ultrafrozen]

HMMMM. I wonder if that article was in one of the sled mags. And if it mentions a particular area of Quebec??? Note the date. Those efforts stemmed the theft a little from '05 - '12. Just as the border guards told us, the theft "exploded" last season.

Yes, here is the link: http://supertraxmag.com/article.asp?nid=109, pretty old!

I found a few other articles restating the same info as well.

 

[ghost rider]

With sled theft as common as it is & for the many years this has been a problem, the cops must be part of the theft ring, seems they turn the other cheek when U.S. guys are ripped off.

Really? I can't believe you said that!

X2.......

 

[ghost rider]

Stop riding Canada! Until the government, at least the ones not in on this, do something. Over 50% theft rate! Come on now wake up people. When you have to search for locked in areas, that's pathetic!!! All those devices will do NOTHING!! They'll show your sled on a reservation where they can't touch it even if they had the balls to! Canada has the best trails in THE WORLD, but this is out of control. At snowmobile shows, all the venues preach how they have locked secured areas. That's an admission to their problem. The people are great, they need to get on their government or risk loosing our business. People will chime in how they never have a problem, but i can name 9 sleds, 3 trucks & 3 trailers stolen & that's just local guys!!! Maine for me...

Because we all know how safe America is..... Dude you are talking about Quebec not the rest of canada...... In ontario sled rip offs are rare. Don't blame a country for one provincial issue.
It is very different from province to province.

 

[ghost rider]

no excuses, I am sure that police are not involved but on the other hand they are not to helpful with the problems and from my personal experience they can care less that I had a sled stripped. in the case of a friend they still did not care much at all and were more annoyed than anything. He lost a truck and new 4 place trailer. He did not loose a watch or a cell phone, he lost $50,000 dollars and was left with no ride home and 4 snowmobiles to get there. I guess these type of robberies are minor in there opinion because it happens all the time. Best prevention is to stay out of Quebec. they need us more than we need them and they and they don't seem to care or this kind of activity would have been taken care of a long time ago!!!!

Blame blame blame.... Ok. Action needs to be grass roots that is the hotels and inns need to
Cater to their clients and their clients security if they want to thrive..... It is extremely difficult to steal a sled or truck from a compound and next to impossible from a guarded compound. Pointing fingers at the government and saying do something is naive and will at best give you a politicians answer which we all know is so very sincere.

 

[scott32]

Take your belts off and inside for the night. Make the sons of b's carry these 1 tons. If theives want something they r gonna take it, just try and slow down the dumb-dumbs. Amatures get caught. The real thieves have watched you for a bit and seen your routine. A funny one is the stolen bbq that returned home two days later with a note saying,"Sorry for any inconvenience, our bbq went for the crapper and we needed to steal yours for the day. Thank you very much and please accept these ticket as our appreciation." In side the envelope was two tickets to the local MLB game. The house was emptied my a "moving company" during the game. Real criminals are real smart. You can't fix stupid, or stop genius..lol, Good luck out there fellas.

 

[Sasquatch]

I take specific offense to your post. Your analogy is both crass and ill-conceived. you referred to one event that happened in one place in the US whereas it's a known proven fact that multiple multiple events of theft of trucks and snowmobiles have happened in Quebec and specifically in the areas mentioned it's a fact and you are in denial to say otherwise.

So its the law of probabilitys! If one sled per 1000 is stolen then it stands to reason that anywhere there are thousands of sleds more sleds are stolen then where there are hundreds.

Quebec is a hot spot for sledding like Sturgis is a hot spot for Bikes. Thefts increase in both places. And the Cops are just telling the truth when they say no they probably wont find it. Not lazyness or colaboration on thier part, they would love to bust a sled ring!

Again you want to help, stop buying stolen parts and report those who sell them.

 

[Mooseman]

That is a very good idea about the belts. Not 100% but will slow them down or make them look elsewhere when the sled won't move. Sometimes the simplest is the most effective.

 

[tomanytoyz]

How about a > Wireless Video Baby Monitor < then you can keep an eye on it while your drinking a couple and playing cards back at wherever your at !!

 

[kidastra]

How about a > Wireless Video Baby Monitor < then you can keep an eye on it while your drinking a couple and playing cards back at wherever your at !!

the theft usually occurs when you are fast asleep, not sure a monitor would help then

 

[ghost rider]

How about a > Wireless Video Baby Monitor < then you can keep an eye on it while your drinking a couple and playing cards back at wherever your at !!

the theft usually occurs when you are fast asleep, not sure a monitor would help then

we only stay at places with a secure compounds (wherever we stay in a place that is popular for sledding) -read high theft rate.
….never had an issue nor anyone else in a secured place.

 

[Sled Dog]

A chain through the skid and track attached to something immovable should slow them down and deter them.