Wireless tracking advocated as means to supplement immobilizers in the reduction of car theft

When it comes to anti-theft devices for automobiles, immobilizers aren’t the only game in town, says a Montreal-headquartered company that sells wireless tracking devices and vehicle recovery systems.
Noting that IBC-approved immobilizers have not, when used as the sole method of protecting a vehicle, completely prevented vehicles from getting stolen, Boomerang Tracking Inc. says it advocates a ‘layered approach’ to protecting vehicles from theft.
This ranges from using common sense (in locking one’s vehicle, for example, or not leaving the keys in the ignition with the engine running), to the use of immobilizers and wireless vehicle recovery systems.
Boomerang offers wireless vehicle recovery systems that are installed through a network of authorized dealers in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Once installed, the wireless devices send signals stronger than GPS signals and can help company representatives track down vehicles even when they are located in underground parking lots or inside shipping crates.
The devices, including tracking services, run from anywhere between Cdn$500-Cdn$1,000.
“To date, the Boomerang Tracking devices have aided in the recovery of [more than] 6,600 vehicles and other assets with an approximate value of over [Cdn]$320 million, including incidentals,” the company notes. “In addition, approximately 36% of vehicles recovered by Boomerang Tracking were equipped with an IBC-approved immobilizer device, and were still stolen.”
Boomerang estimates Canadian auto theft costs the insurance industry alone about Cdn$600 million.