Youth Charged with Targeting Cars in Airport Parkade

The Calgary Police Service, in partnership with the Calgary Airport Authority, is reminding travellers to have a safe summer by protecting their valuables.

Preventing and investigating thefts from vehicles, as well as vehicle thefts, is a priority for the CPS and the Calgary Airport Authority. Car prowlings are typically a crime of opportunity and occur across the city at long-term parking locations.

Since October 2012, several vehicles have been targeted at long-stay parking lots at the Calgary International Airport. The majority of these vehicles were left unlocked and in some cases, the keys were left inside.

With the assistance from the Calgary Airport Authority security officials, officers were able to identify several of the offenders and last week, six youth were arrested in connection with these incidents.

All of the accused face multiple charges, but due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, their names cannot be released.

Working with airport officials, a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) review was conducted by members of the Service’s Crime Prevention Unit. Additions to the multiple levels of security at YYC parkades have been made to further reduce any opportunities for crime.

It’s important for Calgarians to take a few simple steps to reduce the chance of being victimized.

The CPS reminds Calgarians to make your vehicle and property less attractive to thieves by:

Keeping the vehicle doors and windows locked
Remove or hide valuable items, including change, from the vehicle
Take extra keys out of your vehicle
Do not leave garage door openers in your vehicle, as criminals can use it to gain access to your home. Take it with you when you leave your vehicle
If you are a victim of a crime, report it to police as soon as possible