What's Up Now: RCMP Release

Date: November 28, 2024Share

RCMP begin Christmas Grinch initiative

Starting tomorrow, St. Albert RCMP will be patrolling commercial store parking lots to ensure all vehicle valuables are removed or not in plain view and the doors are locked. This is all part of a community crime prevention initiative to assist in preventing theft around the holiday season.

The holidays can be very profitable for thieves as they like to take advantage of all the people out shopping. RCMP are reminding the public to be careful about leaving their Christmas gifts or any valuables in vehicles, as it can be a prime hunting ground for parking lot thieves. Criminals know as people go from store to store they often have newly purchased gifts in their cars which gives them more incentive to break into your vehicle.

St. Albert RCMP does not want the Christmas Grinch to raid you, so they are providing residents with some prevention tips to reduce the risk during the holidays:

• Be aware of your surroundings: Many thieves hang out in parking lots watching people come out of stores with gifts to identify potential targets.
• Do not leave anything in plain sight: While this may seem obvious, many people leave shopping bags, gifts, cell phones, purses and even their wallet/money in plain view in their vehicle. Doing this just invites thieves to attempt to break into your car.
• Put everything in the trunk: Putting all gifts and valuables in the truck will make your vehicle less of a target. If thieves do not see anything in your car, they will be more likely to move on to another, more enticing vehicle.
• Take your gifts home: Rather than leaving your gifts in the car while you run errands take them home.
• Park in high traffic areas: If possible, always park in locations that have a high volume of traffic. The more people that are around, the less likely thieves will attempt to break into your vehicle.
• Lock your car: Even if you are just running into the store for a minute, always lock your vehicle.
• Do not leave gifts in the car when you get home: Many people leave gifts in their car when they get home. However, even if your vehicle is in your driveway, you could still be the target of a break in. Always take your gifts in the house when you get home.

“When we go shopping for gifts, so do thieves,” says Staff Sergeant Dewayne Moore, “Thieves can be very crafty and this is why everyone needs to be on high alert when shopping during the Christmas season.”
St. Albert RCMP hope the Christmas Grinch initiative will assist holiday shoppers to ensure they have a happy and safe holiday season.

St. Albert RCMP encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity. Reports tell us where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

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