Calgary police give tips to prevent holiday crime
If you’re lucky enough to leave town over the holidays, police caution Calgarians not to leave a welcome mat out for criminals on the homefront.
Calgary Police Service (CPS) Staff Sgt. Keith Shufelt is reminding people to be wary of criminals looking for ways to take advantage of the holiday season.
“That is a prime time for criminals to break into residences. And I go back to the advice I give is just to make sure that people are checking on your residence, and don’t make it obvious that the house is not attended for a long period of time,” he said to CityNews.
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“Because, even during Christmas, you may have had a great holiday, but it certainly ruins it when you come back and you find you are a victim of a break and enter.”
CPS released crime prevention tips this holiday season as people can sometimes be “distracted or constantly on the go.”
“Over the holiday season, people are often taken out of their normal routines, and their minds veer towards the immediate surroundings to the coming festivities and family events,” Shufelt explained.
“Unfortunately, that can result in some becoming more susceptible to crimes of opportunity.”
Police say ways to reduce your risk of being hit by thieves is by installing security cameras at your home, getting a locked mailbox, and arranging for neighbours to collect your packages if you are not home.
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When you’re gathering gifts, it’s recommended to keep your identification and personal belongings close, carry phones and wallets in inside pockets rather than back pockets, and not keep valuables in your vehicle and park in well-lit areas.
They also say not to provide information like birthdates, addresses, full names, and other personal details to strangers online. If you need to meet someone for an online purchase, thoroughly inspect the product before exchanging money, and if possible, bring a friend or family member with you.
“Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” police said.
There are more tips on crime prevention from CPS online here.
