Thanks for the feedback. I’ll be sure to do something with it.
A few weeks ago, I found this Crime Prevention notice on the windshield of my car from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. [For those out of province, ICBC is the Crown corporation responsible for insuring the majority of vehicles in BC, as well as being responsible for driver licensing, vehicle licensing and registration.]
Having been a victim of auto crime more than once over the past few years, I thought it was great that someone was taking the time to provide me with feedback about what I could to do to make vehicle more secure. Maybe I’d not locked my car and this was a reminder to remember to do so in the future. Maybe I’d left something on the seat – a temptation to car thieves everywhere.
So what had I done, and what could I do differently?
I’m still not sure. Because, whoever it was who wrote the notice didn’t tell me.
“Are there any personal belongings in plain view?” “No.”
“Have you taken all suitable steps to prevent auto crime?” “No.”
And that’s it. The date, the street address, and those two boxes checked. No comments or suggestions. Nothing.
I don’t think I could dream up a better way to illustrate a really bad piece of communication (irrespective of how irritating I find this waste of my provincial tax dollars):
- It’s unclear, in that it doesn’t tell me what the problem was and leaves me scratching my head.
- It doesn’t provide feedback and an action request, so that I don’t do the same thing next time and can do my bit to prevent auto crime.
- It’s a waste of time and resources. Maybe someone from ICBC can explain the value add in this service?
Let this be a reminder to us all. If you’ve got nothing to say, don’t say it. And if you have got something to say, make sure it’s clear, meaningful and useful.
Well it did it’s job by keeping it “top of mind” (the goal of all advertising I think). ICBC sponsors this program but it is handed out by neighbourhood watch people.
I hadn’t really thought of the notice as advertising, but I guess you’re right … it kept ICBC in my mind for a few days so there’s an added benefit to the program in that respect. And, you’re right … as Karin points out, the program is administered by volunteers. Thanks for responding, Hootie.
They are doing the same thing in Atlanta GA…not sure if its APD per se, but a few suburbs thereof.
I like the program…just need to ensure they are uniformed officers going around looking in everyones cars and trying to open them to ensure they are locked.
I agree that the program is a great idea and can really work (as Karin points out in her comment above). Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Hi Rebecca, I work for ICBC and agree that this was strange — our volunteers do normally leave comments when they tick off that box. Thanks for bringing it to our attention – we’ll be certain to pass along that feedback to our volunteers.
A bit of background on the program: The Lock Out Auto Crime Prevention Program has been in operation for about 15 years. The program was designed to educate vehicle owners about auto crime and how they could take steps to protect their vehicle and possessions.
In the Lower Mainland in 2009, Community Policing volunteers issued over 100,000 crime prevention notices. Programs like this have contributed to significant reductions in auto crime. Provincially, comparing 2009 to 2003, theft of vehicles has dropped 58% and theft from vehicles has dropped 55%.
Anyhow, sorry for the confusion and I’ll definitely pass this along to the program coordinators.
Thanks for taking the time to respond, Karin; I was hoping someone from ICBC would. And thanks for forwarding my feedback to the program coordinators. I am sure I’m not the only person who’s been left scratching their heads after getting a notice like this.
No problem — and agreed! If you’re interested, here’s a nice story about the program and one of our star volunteers: http://bit.ly/cHEL4w