Garage and vehicle security reminder

The Calgary Police Service is reminding residents of Calgary to be mindful of home and vehicle security following a number of offences in the north of the city.

Between June 5 and June 8, 2013, offenders have committed at least six offences targeting vehicles and garages.

As with similar incidents across the city, many of the vehicles targeted had been left unlocked.

In the garage break and enters, offenders have gained access through open overhead doors or they have stolen garage door openers from vehicles to gain access.

Items stolen include tools, bicycles and gardening equipment.

The CPS is reminding all Calgarians to take steps to prevent break-ins and car prowlings, particularly with the summer months, long weekend and vacation season ahead.

Following are tips to help prevent beak-ins and car thefts/prowlings:

Vehicle theft and car prowling prevention

Garage openers should not be left in vehicles, as thieves can use them to gain entry into a home.
Avoid parking in unlit areas at night.
Lock your doors and close all windows.
Hide your valuables out of sight, or better yet, take them with you.
Don’t keep extra keys in your vehicle.

Home and garage break-in prevention

Keep your doors locked, even when you’re home. Ensure your garage doors and windows are also closed and locked.
Install exterior motion lights to brighten dark areas around doors or windows, to make them easily seen by neighbours and passersby.
Lock all garage doors, including the one between an attached garage and the house.
Always close and lock any windows that could be used to gain access to your home while you’re away or sleeping, even on hot summer nights.
Store important or irreplaceable documents and items away from your home, such is in a safety deposit box.
If you see homes with open doors, front doors with keys left in the locks or a neighbour’s car with the truck left open, give them a quick call to let them know.
Consider installing home and vehicle alarm systems and vehicle anti-theft devices.

It is also important to take proactive measures when leaving your home for extended periods of time

Make your home looked lived in. Put lights, radios and TVs on variable timers. If you’re leaving a vehicle outside your house, have a neighbour move it periodically. Arrange for lawn and garden upkeep.
Either cancel newspapers, mail and other deliver items or have a trusted neighbor collect them for you while you are away.

Always call police if you see suspicious activity in your neighbourhood.

Anyone with information about these offences is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

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TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637