RICHMOND RCMP are reminding the public of steps that can be taken to help prevent their home from being a target for thieves.
Between 2020 and 2021, Richmond RCMP saw a 31% decrease in residential break-and-enters overall due to their priority action planning to reduce property crimes.
With more holiday gatherings and travel plans on the rise, Richmond RCMP want to remind the public of proactive measures that they can take to prevent their home from becoming a target for break-and-enters.
“I work with an excellent and dedicated team of investigators who work hard to identify and arrest offenders committing break-and-enters in our community,” says Sgt. Russel Yugai, Investigative Services Support NCO. “Ultimately, our goal is to reduce crime in our community. Being proactive and educating the public around measures they can implement to keep their homes safe, is an integral part of our crime reduction strategy.”
Tips to help keep your home secure include:
* Close and lock all windows each time you leave your home;
* If you have an alarm, be sure to set it before you leave home;
* Do not keep ladders or tools on the outside of your home. If it can be used to gain entry into your home, keep it locked up and out of sight;
* While on vacation, arrange for someone to shovel/mow the lawn and park in your driveway. It’s ideal to have someone you trust, housesit for you so your home is still lived in while you are away. If this is not possible, make sure your home looks lived in;
* Use timers on indoor lights and tamper-proof, motion sensor lights around the perimeter of your home. Lighting is the most effective crime prevention tool since criminals do not want to be seen.
For more tips on home security, visit the BC RCMP website.
Anyone who has been the victim of a break-and-enter, or attempted break-and-enter, should report it to the police of jurisdiction. Whether entry was gained or not, reporting it allows police to investigate in an attempt to identify the individual(s) involved. It also allows police to determine modus operandi and potential crime trends.
