The Fort St. John RCMP is reminding residents and visitors to make sure their firearms are stored legally and securely while travelling through the city.
The warning comes after several firearms were stolen from a locked vehicle parked overnight at a Fort St. John hotel in the early morning hours of Sept. 15.
Police said similar thefts from vehicles continue to happen in the city, particularly when vehicles are left unattended overnight or for extended periods.
The RCMP says the thefts can happen even when vehicles are locked.
Constable Christiaan Dreyer, media relations officer with the Fort St. John RCMP, said visitors should avoid leaving firearms in their vehicles overnight.
“Despite Fort St John being a northern destination for hunting, it is a city, and every city experiences thefts from motor vehicles overnight. Please ensure you do not leave your firearms in your personal vehicles overnight while visiting our city; Every time this type of theft occurs, more firearms end up in the hands of criminals.”
Police are encouraging anyone travelling with firearms to familiarize themselves with the requirements for proper transportation and storage.
More information is available through the RCMP’s firearms safety resources.
