By Laine Mitchell (Twitter: @Laine_Mitchell)

Drayton Valley RCMP stats show property crime in 2018 off to a high start

Feb 28, 2018 | 9:24 AM

Property crime rates in Drayton Valley are off to a high start in 2018, according to newly released RCMP statistics. 

The stats show during the first month of 2018 there were 27 break and enters, 10 theft of motor vehicles and 35 reports of theft under $5,000, the highest January amounts in those three categories over the past five years.

Total property crime reports settled at 91 in January, eclipsing the old high of 81 in 2014.

Of the 27 break and enter reports 11 occurred at businesses, and five were at residences.

Trucks/SUVs/Vans were the popular choice for thieves, with six of the 10 vehicles stolen last month falling into that category.

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Staff Sergeant Malcolm Calihoo and Sergeant Erin Matthews delivered the update to Drayton Valley Town Council Wednesday morning. 

Sergeant Calihoo urged the public that when having criminals on their property to report them to the police so it’s known to the them what had occurred. 

“I’m encouraging people when you come across these people you have to let us know because then we have the opportunity to track them as they are going and possibly trace them back to other scenes,” said Calihoo. “We need that cooperation and partnership.”

Sergeant Matthews added a deterrent against criminals trying to steal from a residence is for homeowners to install motion sensor lights, which often disrupt thieves in action and make them flee.