As the weather turns, Alberta Mounties warn seasonal properties have been targeted for break-ins more often in 2024.
Officers responded to 348 break-and-enters at Alberta cottages so far this year, eight per cent more than in 2023.
“The off-season tends to be when these incidents occur the most, as there are less people around and less chances of being discovered quickly,” an RCMP news release reads. “While crime prevention should be part of our everyday habits, it's especially important to consider when vacating your property for an extended period.”
Police in St. Paul said Oct. 1 they’d arrested a man accused of multiple such crimes in that county. They seized stolen property and two unsecured firearms while arresting a 54-year-old Saddle Lake man.
St. Paul RCMP received eight reports of break-ins, thefts, and suspicious activity in that county’s Lottie Lake are alone in the month previous.
Police offer the following tips to keep your seasonal property safe while you’re not there:
- Take home all valuables, including expensive tools and electronics, and properly lock up anything left behind. Consider posting signage that states all valuables have been removed.
- Put away any outdoor furniture.
- Make sure all doors, windows, gates, and outbuildings are secured.
- If you have a hunting property, always ensure that your firearms or any other hunting equipment is properly stored and secured, even inside a locked property.
- If storing off-highway vehicles, empty all gas from the tank and block the vehicle so it cannot be easily removed from the premise.
- Trim shrubs and trees to create clear sight lines
- Install timers on interior lights to give the illusion the property isn't vacant.
- Install exterior motion sensor lights at entrances, sheds, or out-buildings.
- Try to visit your property regularly, clear snow off paths to give the illusion of use, and inspect for any damages or thefts, so they can be reported in a timely manner
- Installing security cameras and an alarm system let's you monitor your property from a distance and is a deterrent to thieves.
For more tips on how you can keep your properties safe, visit the RCMP YouTube Page: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design - YouTube, or follow #SeasonalSafety on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and X @RCMPAlberta.
Report any suspicious activity to police. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, 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.
