Alberta RCMP province crime prevention tips to protect properties this spring. As spring arrives and warm weather is welcomed, Albertans will start to spend more time outdoors away from home, including their seasonal properties. The past year has been extremely difficult for many people. Job loss and difficult economic times can lead to increased crime rates in our community. A global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic has created stressful situations for many people. Unfortunately, this could lead to an increase in theft. Awareness is an important part of crime prevention. Protecting Alberta’s rural communities is a collective responsibility. Together, with local RCMP detachments, we create a strong awareness and presence of the law and help reduce crime.
In May 2020, there were 313 residential break and enters and 39 seasonal property break and enters in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions. These numbers are concerning and way too high. Learning how to protect your property is your best defense against crime. Reporting crime also remains of utmost importance to help police find the perpetrators. Albertans can count on the RCMP to continue to be fully committed to the safety and security of our province during the pandemic.
This includes adopting our Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies. Education is a very important part of crime prevention. Avoid becoming a victim of these types of crimes. Thieves look for easy targets, keeping your home secure makes it harder to access. Here are some practical tips to keep your home safe:
Here are some questions to consider this spring, whether you are at home or at your seasonal property:
- Are your front, back, and garage doors locked?
- Are your outbuildings and shed locked?
- Are your lawn mower, quad and tools stored in a safe location?
- Are your alarm system and motion sensor lights active?
- Is it obvious when you are not home?
- Is your yard adequately lit?
- Do you have a fence or natural barrier around your property?
This month, follow the #9PMRoutine daily Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design tips. This is an important reminder to check for these safety preventions every day at 9 PM before you go to bed. Following these easy routines could prevent you from becoming a victim of property crimes. These tips may sound simple, but CPTED has proven to discourage crime and promote security all over the world.
RCMP encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity to the police. Reports tell the RCMP where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store
Friendly Reminders
Report crime online!
The RCMP are encouraging all Albertans to report eligible crimes online (select property crimes under $5,000). Reporting less serious crimes online helps emergency dispatch and frontline members focus their time on high-priority calls. It provides a convenient way to share photos to the RCMP as well. These reports assist in crime analysis, aid in establishing trends and patterns, and ultimately leads investigators to the chronic offenders. It also assists in making decisions about how and where to deploy resources. Crimes reported online will be taken just as seriously as crime reported in any other way.
Help reduce crime, report online! #ReportSmart
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May 14, 2021