By rdnewsNOW Staff

Preventative Measures

Red Deer Mounties encourage proactive steps in preventing crimes of opportunity

Aug 24, 2021 | 12:23 PM

Red Deer RCMP are reminding people to take proactive steps with their homes and vehicles to avoid becoming the victims of opportunistic crime.

Cpl. Mike Evans with the Red Deer RCMP Community Policing Unit says two recent incidents involving stolen garage door openers are a cause for concern.

“Criminals entered locked vehicles and took the garage door openers. They then used these openers to access the garage at a later time, which resulted in further theft from the property.”

Criminals often use stolen vehicles and theft from vehicles in order to commit other criminal acts such as property crimes or identity fraud. Ensuring your vehicle is locked and any valuables, either removed from it or out of sight, are key ways to help protect yourself from theft and vandalism.

While theft of vehicles has dropped in Red Deer over the last five years, police say there’s always more you can do to prevent this type of crime of opportunity.

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• Always lock your vehicle.
• Never leave an unlocked vehicle idling while unattended.
• Keep valuables out of sight, including garage door openers and insurance papers.
• When possible, program the garage door into your vehicle, eliminating the need for a separate garage door opener unit.
• Consider purchasing a Smart Plug which allows you to control the garage door from an app.
• Make sure to lock both the overhead garage door as well as the door that connects the garage to the house.
• Consider unplugging your garage door if you will be away for an extended period of time.
• Never leave a wallet or purse in a vehicle.

You are also encouraged to always report any crime or suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem.

You can do so online by visiting them online here, or by phoning the non-emergency police line at 403-343-5575.