Calgary police warning signs sprout amid increase in break-ins

Calgary police are warning residents to stay alert as break-ins linked to travelling crime groups targeting homes increase across the city.

Sandwich board signs are now appearing in several Calgary neighbourhoods as police try to get the public’s attention and prevent them from becoming victims of theft.

“I have seen them around. Yeah, I live in Springbank Hill, a few minutes south of where we’re recording right now, and I’ve seen a number of them around just in the area on my way to and from work,” one man told CityNews.

He says it’s somewhat concerning to see the signs around the neighbourhood, noting how his neighbour across the street has been broken into twice.

“The fact that you’d have to put these signs up to bring awareness to something that you know you shouldn’t really have in the first place, like we shouldn’t be scared of crime and break-ins and stuff like that,” he said.

Police say they are sparking awareness about travelling crime groups that are targeting homes across the city, often scouting properties before striking.

Supt. Keith Hurley says the groups typically target higher-end homes — thieves looking for jewelry and other valuables. In one case, they made off with a safe that wasn’t bolted down. and they favour properties backing onto green spaces, with break-ins happening between 6 and 8 p.m.

Since the start of the year, Calgary police have linked over 40 residential break-ins to travelling crime groups operating across several provinces. Police say most of the incidents have occurred in northwest and south Calgary communities.

“Part of that number is actually tied into a travelling group that we believe was responsible for a number of break-and-enters in the city, so we actually had a lapse for a period of time,” Hurley explained.

“We believe it might be the same group that may be back in town.”

Now they’re asking for residents to keep an eye out and report any suspicious behaviour before another home becomes a target.

The signs are part of a broader strategy to bring awareness to the increase in thefts across the city, with Hurley adding that they needed to do more.

“We just weren’t getting a lot of object with the social with social media, so we moved to just try something a little more rudimentary with sandwich board signs, thinking we would just catch a little bit more attention from people,” he said.

“And we started seeing that some of our crime was reducing, so we just expanded the platform and then started fanning it out a little bit further along to other communities.”

Investigators also say suspects will often enter through a back gate before moving around the property, checking side doors, back doors, and windows for an easy point of entry.

Police say something as simple as double-checking you locked your doors and windows, leaving your lights on, and keeping an eye on your neighbour’s property can go a long way in preventing the next home from becoming the next target.

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