Alberta RCMP Press Release – June 3, 2025 – Edmonton, Alberta
As people set out on summer vacation and more time is spent away from the home, your Alberta RCMP is reminding community members to secure your property to help prevent yard theft and break & enters.
In 2024, there were 3,940 residential break & enters in Alberta RCMP jurisdiction, with 367 occurring in June of last year alone. Property and yard theft are often crimes of opportunity.
Learning how to properly secure your property by following simple practices like Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) can make all of the difference.
CPTED tips such as the following can help keep your property safe:
Lighting: Ensure your yard is well lit. Consider installing motion sensor lights at every entry.
Sightlines: Keep clear sightlines to yards, garages, and entries to prevent places for criminals to hide. Make sure trees and bushes aren’t overgrown, creating cover for a potential thief.
Gates: A locked gate can help deter a criminal who may not want to waste time trying to get through.
Windows: Keep windows covered and locked when you’re not home. An empty house is a criminal’s playground.
Alarms: Consider installing a security system, especially on seasonal properties or if you travel often. This will help ensure that if anything does happen to your property, authorities will be alerted.
Locks: Always lock any sheds or garages. Keep valuable items like lawn mowers, barbeques, and bikes stored out of sight.
CPTED is an international concept that has proven to discourage crime and promote security. These simple tips can have positive effects on our communities.
The Alberta RCMP encourages the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity to police.
If you discover a crime has taken place on your property, you should report it to police immediately. Reports tell us where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future.
If you see something suspicious, report it to your local police service. If you see a crime in progress, call 911.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can 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.
For more information on CPTED and preventing residential break & enters, please follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta, X @RCMPAlberta, and on YouTube @RCMP-GRC Alberta.
Author: PressRelease
