RCMP on the Sunshine Coast are suggesting people who leave their cars behind when they go hiking, or camping leave a note with contact information and when they expect to be back.
Police say on the 17th a person in Secret Cove reported a car left behind for 3 days at a trail head. There were concerns the owner was lost, or worse.
RCMP traced the car to a Vancouver woman and their next step would have been to call out Search and Rescue, but with help from Vancouver Police they were able to figure out the woman and friend were camping in the area.
Police say a note on the dash can help them figure out if someone is overdue and in trouble.
It’s important that anyone leaving their vehicle to go hiking or camping for any length of time leaves a note with their contact information or the date and time of their intended return,
says Cst Harrison Mohr. A note in a car window can let us know whether someone is still out as planned, or whether someone is overdue and needs help. False alarms like these not only require the effort of multiple officers, but our next step would have been to call out Search and Rescue.
