We're getting a little tired of the provincial government targeting the victims of auto theft instead of focussing on the real problem -- the punks who steal thousands of cars a year in Winnipeg.

The latest campaign is Manitoba Public Insurance's announcement this week that 78,000 drivers, whose vehicles are a high risk to be stolen, will be eligible for a free immobilizer for the next six months.

The chief reason vehicle theft is out of control in Manitoba is because the criminals stealing the cars face almost no consequences for their actions.

That is particularly true for car thieves under the age of 18 who are treated with kid gloves in the courts. We've seen time and time again how young offenders who steal cars, go on dangerous joy rides and put people's lives at risk don't spend a day in jail, including repeat offenders.

They know they can get away with it. Stealing cars is fun and exhilarating for them, it gives them a high. And they do it because they know vehicle theft is treated as a misdemeanor -- like shoplifting or spray painting graffiti on a building.

It's important for motorists to know that something as simple, and as low-cost, as a subsidized $140 immobilizer can prevent your vehicle from being stolen.

What we don't like is MPI threatening to take action against law-abiding motorists who don't install immobilizers in their vehicles. Especially when MPI is only targeting a small minority of motorists, even though all vehicles without immobilizers are at risk of being stolen.

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