The St. Albert RCMP have issued a reminder for residents to take valuables out of their vehicles and lock their vehicle doors after receiving numerous reports of thefts from motor vehicles.
On April 28, the RCMP said in a media release it had received nine reports of thefts from vehicles in a 24-hour period the previous week. Seven of the reports came from Lacombe Park, while one came from Mission and one from Deer Ridge.
"St. Albert RCMP are committed to the safety and security of its citizens but officers need help from residents to help prevent such property crime from occurring," the RCMP stated.
"Removing the opportunity for the crime to happen is the easiest way to help."
The #9PMRoutine
The RCMP says one way to help prevent theft is to follow the #9PMRoutine, which encourages people to secure their vehicles and homes at 9 p.m.
That includes removing valuables, closing windows, locking vehicles, parking in a garage if you have one, closing the garage and locking all house doors, closing house windows and turning on an exterior light.
The RCMP also suggests people can reduce the risk on their properties by "locks, lighting and landscaping" – efforts that could involve fencing a property, planting prickly plants like raspberries or roses to deter criminals from coming through a specific area, trimming hedges and trees to get rid of blind spots, installing interior and exterior lights and sensor lighting, locks and security systems, keeping doors and windows locked and having someone maintain your property if you are away.
If anyone has information regarding any crime, they are asked to contact the St. Albert RCMP Detachment at 780-458-7700 or their local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can 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.
