Car theft has surged in Toronto, so police have a new idea: Make it easier for criminals to steal your ride.

Local officials, including cops, suggest residents leave their car keys conveniently near their front doors, explicitly for thieves to find them effortlessly. This approach aims to minimize the risk of burglars intruding into homes by tempting them with an open target — unattended vehicles.

The assumption is that with easy access to the keys, criminals may opt to take the car without fully entering the residence, potentially reducing the risk of violent encounters.

Toronto Police Service Constable Marco Ricciardi made the key point at a town hall last month, saying criminals are “breaking into your home to steal your car. They don’t want anything else.”

“A lot of them that they’re arresting have guns on them and they’re not toy guns; they’re loaded,” the officer warned, as reported by Slay News.

In Toronto, police have deployed additional tactics to secure homes, including distributing doorstops to residents. This simple tool assists in preventing doors from being forcibly kicked in, a common entry method for burglars.

People on social media question the latest suggestion to capitulate. “Welcome to @JustinTrudeau’s Canada,” Viva Frei wrote on X. “Where guns are illegal. Except criminals have them, and you don’t. And the police are imploring you to leave your keys at the front door so armed criminals can steal your cars, and hopefully spare your life.”

• Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.