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www.bllllloustonford.oom Vehicles sit at the GO Transit parking lot at the Stouflville Station Friday. While thieves might be tumingsome GO parking lots into auto parts stores, York Region commuters say they still feel secure about the sites. ; 0410004154130 " ‘ 1 (800) 327-0267 Ch for Adult or Teens fi-eeweba.eom/ourstudio mummmail£om -4541 STAFF PHOTO/JIM MASON Most of the time, the thefts reported are smash-and-grabs more than any- thing else and Mr. Phillips said motor- ists should ensure they do not leave Thefts bf auto parts and wheels, however, have been rare, he added. “She’s never mentioned anything about (theft) to me," Ms Moore said. “I never would have thought about theft in these parking lots until I saw it in the paper." Thefts from vehicles do occur from time to time in parking lots all over the region, not just those belonging to GO Transit, York Regional Police Const. Gary Phillips said. She doesn’t park in the GO Transit lots very often, but her daughter does on a daily basis, she added. Others, such as. Joyce Moore, expressed similar sentiments. “In this area up here I (feel safe)," she said. “I don’t know if I’d park my car dovyn_in Toronto though." Keswick resident Natasha Stribbell didn't have any qualms about leaving her vehicle at the GO lot in East Gwil- limbury, but added she might not feel the same in Toronto. Local residents found tales of vehicle thefts and parts stripping coming out of some areas surrounding Toronto trou- bling, but still felt safe parking their vehicles at GO Transit lots around the region. BY SEAN PEARCE Stafl' Writer While thieves might be turning some GO 'Itansit parking lots into auto parts stores, York Region commuters say they still feel secure about the sites. Thefts don’t worry GO Transit travellers This mango W to you as a community COMO. of The Economist/Sun-Trlbune New measures new being rdlled out by GO 'ITansit should defintiely help the situation, she added. “These aren’t a reaction to the article in the Toronto Star,” Ms Kosmack said. “They were already in the works." GO Transit spokesperson Jessica Kosmack. said improved security has been in the works for the past few months and is always a priority. He further expi’essed who regrets to anyone that may have experienced theft 9r damage to their vehicle. - Ensure any valuables are some place out of sight, such as the trunk or don't bring them at all - Never leave a wallet or purse in the car - Always be aware of your surroundings and be watchful for suspicious people - Report any unusual or suspicious activâ€" ity to the police - Report all thefts, regardless of how small ~ Keep in mind that criminals are opporâ€" tunistic; don't make it easy for them Mr. McNeil is also promising a more pro-active approach to ensuring GO’s parking lots are secure and an added level of vigilence by staff. “We will also conduct staff train- ing for our frontline workers to better understand estabiished protocols for incident reporting." “I have directed that a review of security practices across our network be undertaken," he said in a letter. Since downplaying the problem in an article about the issue that ran in a Toronto newspaper, GO Tran- sit has since altered its atitude and announced it will institute some new security measures. GO Transit’s man- aging director and CEO Gary McNeil said a security review will be forth- coming as the first step. â€" Lock all vehicle doors and roll up the windows Parklng lot security tips “I've even left my truck there over- night and never thought anything of it." “I've taken GO 'Ii‘ansit and parked my car at the lot in Newmarket numer- ous times and never had an issue,” Mr. Phillips said. Cash humus For Anonymous Tips On Crime If that rule is followed, motorists won't have a problem, he valuables in plain sight whenever they park their cars. www.crlmostopporsyr.ca b What do you think of this issue? E-mail jmason@ynng.com HAVE YOUR SAY A Safer Community Is Your Call