Nothing to steal but the sign. Please don’t steal the sign.

That is the message a driver can send to thieves who are thinking about breaking into a car.

Lynne Bradley, with the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association, teamed up with RCMP volunteer Joan Streifel to bring awareness to vehicle break-ins, especially during the Christmas shopping season. This integrated safety blitz is called Operation Grinch.

“Everybody has to take steps to protect their vehicles and we are providing an extra tool,” said Bradley while stopping drivers at the entrance of ValleyFair Mall on Tuesday.

“On top of educating people, we are also providing a brochure or sign which shows thieves that they have taken steps to prevent being a victim of a break-in,” she explained.

The sign reads: Nothing to steal but the sign. Please don’t steal the sign.

Alyssa Martin and Brad Kersbergen were stopped by Bradley and Streifel as they exited ValleyFair.

“We are going Christmas shopping today so this is good,” said Martin, who is from Mission. “We are pretty theft proof, but I’ve heard lots of stories of break-ins. During this time of year, and with our new baby, extra precautions never hurt,” Martin added.

Bradley is the patrol person for the BIA.

“It is amazing the amount of people who are still leaving items exposed. I see it all day during my patrols,” she said.

Operation Grinch will happen again next Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Haney Place and ValleyFair malls.