How do people in Canada actually make it day to day?

After what happened to me, I genuinely feel sorry for anyone dealing with this kind of reality on a regular basis. This isn’t meant to be political — but allowing this type of behavior to happen so openly is absolutely appalling.

Overnight, my car was broken into along with at least three other vehicles, including 3 TX Lexus and one GX all belong to a tourists from US, in a well-lit area just steps from the entrance, in the heart of Niagara Falls. This was not random. It was coordinated.

I was staying at the Niagara Falls Marriott on the Falls.

To be clear — the hotel itself was good. Clean rooms, professional staff, and the manager did try to help.

But none of that changes the fact that my car was targeted, broken into through the rear window, and left inoperable after significant damage — all within 30–40 feet of the main entrance, in plain sight.

This didn’t happen in some remote place. This happened in one of the most visited destinations in North America.

That is absolutely unacceptable.

PS. Getting everything figured out from Canada, towing the car across the border to the US, getting a rental in Niagara Falls is not fun.

 

Canada doesn't have our equivalent of RICO laws. I'm renting the next time we're visiting Canada. No way I'm taking our vulnerable TX.

 

it appears that you are way more optimistic than I am! I will never visit this place again regardless if I am renting or even flying over. The good news is I received a phone call from a dealer in Buffalo New York and they assured me that everything will be fixed. I will get my TX it was in about two weeks.

 

I am sorry that happened, it must really suck. A neighbour of mine had their Land Rover stolen at around 6 PM in June (full daylight) from their driveway. It was locked, they had a camera on it; it also had a Club on the steering wheel. The camera signal was jammed; the keyfobs were not in a Faraday box. They cut the steering wheel to get the Club off. It does not take much.

It sounds like luxury cars were being targeted, hoping for good items inside (you did not say any were stolen). Perhaps it was luxury cars with US plates? There is a lot of animosity against Americans here, so it could have been a combination of both. TX are the most popular Lexuses for thefts in Canada.

 

Your vehicle was vandalized at a tourist trap location, how unique. I bet that never happens in the USA.

 

Local police was very polite and acknowledged this rush of car theft. They also acknowledged the fact that local police created a specific task force specifically investigating Lexus vehicles theft.
They only targeted cars as absolutely nothing was stolen from the vehicles.
Thank you for your kind words.
Stay safe!

 

I understand that something like this can happen anywhere, including here in the U.S. There are certainly areas where incidents like this are more common.



That said, in over 30 years of traveling across the United States,visiting both major cities and smaller tourist destinations, I’ve never personally experienced anything like this, nor has anyone close to me.

The police officers who responded, and were assisting me along with three other victims, openly acknowledged the scale of the issue, which was concerning to hear.

I want to be clear that my intention isn’t to offend anyone. If anything, I genuinely feel for the local residents who have to deal with situations like this on a regular basis.

Stay safe, and I truly hope this never happens to you. 🙏

 

I live in one of the 40 largest metro areas in the US. My city is always rated best place to live and safest. I can't ever remember a story in local news or anyone talk about car thief.

 

Agreed.

 

Car thefts are boring news, they rarely get covered anywhere unless they make an arrest of a group doing it. The police probably do not even show up to take a report in person.

 

I vacationed in Canada 2 years ago, but did not drive. The ppl were courteous, nice, and very polite. The hotel staff & restaurant service were great.
The only interesting observation I had the 7 days I was there was the News reporting. As a US citizen watching the News here it seems like every other story is about a shooting. My week in Canada the News didn't have not one shooting story but plenty of car thief, mostly Lexus brands. They ****** them up right out from ppl's driveways or in the street in front of their house in broad day light, seen on ring-cams. Thought that was interesting..