The Regina Police Service is asking Regina residents and business owners to take a closer look at their homes, businesses, and vehicles with crime prevention in mind. The warmer weather brings an increase in property crimes like Mischief, Break and Enter, Theft of Auto, and Theft from Auto.
Leading up to April 30th, we have a reported total of 76 vehicles stolen with the keys inside the vehicle. Two very simple preventative measures could have prevented all of these incidents:
- Do not store valuables (such as keys) in your vehicle
- Lock your vehicle.
Remember that as the weather gets warmer, there are more people outdoors, which translates to more exposure to your property. A few tips to consider:
- Remember to secure your home – all doors and vehicles – before leaving each day and when you go on holiday.
- When in the back yard make sure the front of your house is secure.
- Don’t advertise your impending holiday on social media. Keep in mind that while your social media contacts may even be limited to those you trust, this medium makes it easy for others to share beyond your circle and advertise to strangers that you will be away from your home.
- An overflowing mailbox is a sign of an absent resident. Be a good neighbour by offering to take in mail, when others are away on holiday, and have someone take in your mail while you are away.
- Do not leave valuable items such as bicycles unsecured in your backyard. Secure them once you are finished with them.
- Police use information to solve crime, and the public is the biggest source of information. Nobody knows their neighbourhood better than those who live there. If you see something suspicious, for example: vehicles driving slowly through your area or people trying the door handles of parked cars, take a second look at their actions. You can report suspicious activity, by calling police at 306-777-6500. Anyone who sees a crime in progress should call 9-1-1. This includes mischief/graffiti-in-progress.
If you have information pertaining to a crime, please call 306-777-6500 to report it to police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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