By rdnewsNOW staff

residents, businesses asked to stay vigilant

Warmer weather brings out more criminals: Red Deer RCMP

Apr 13, 2020 | 12:35 PM

While warmer spring temperatures often bring up people’s spirits, City Mounties warn they also often bring an increase in property crime.

Red Deer RCMP say they noted a decrease in property and persons crimes in March, and a decrease in calls for service since the onset of COVID-19, but expect that may change as the weather warms up for spring.

“We typically see a drop in crime rates during the coldest months of the year, but property crimes and petty thefts typically jump up a bit once spring hits,” Superintendent Grobmeier, Officer in Charge of the Red Deer detachment, says in a release. “We’re asking residents to take action to prevent crimes of opportunity, as many property crimes are easily preventable.”

A recent spike in garage break-ins was also a concern for RCMP. In March and early April, Red Deer RCMP noted seven separate occurrences of vehicles ramming garage doors to gain access for the purpose of theft.

“While we are spending more time at home, this is an opportunity to look over our properties to see what changes can be made to make it less appealing to criminals,” said Grobmeier. “Simple things like landscaping, fences and lighting can have a huge impact in preventing crime.”

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Red Deer RCMP has a number of programs in place in which residents can take part to assist RCMP and help prevent crimes of opportunity:

• CAPTURE, Red Deer RCMP’s camera registry, allows residents to register to let RCMP know they have a security camera on their property. If a crime is committed in the area, RCMP can then contact the owner to request access to footage that could help solve a crime. Residents and businesses can register their camera online at reddeercapture.ca.

• 529 Garage is an online bike registry where residents can register their bikes. In the event of bike theft, RCMP can check the registry for descriptions and serial numbers to easily match found bikes to their owners. Residents can register their bike online at project529.com/reddeer.

Additional information about steps residents and businesses can take to prevent crime are available on The City’s website at www.reddeer.ca/crimeprevention.

(With file from media release)