Canmore RCMP are responding to a recent rash of vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles with a two pronged approach that includes some proactive communication with residents in the community.
Sgt. Ryan Currie said there has been significant increased criminal activity in Canmore late at night, as thieves target areas of the community and steal from unlocked vehicles.
As a result, he said, officers are creating a strategy to catch the culprits and are warning vehicle owners to take one simple step to help stop the crime from happening – locking their doors.
“What we are doing for enforcement is we have different projects going on to hopefully identify the people who are doing this,” said Currie, adding he cannot publicly provide details of these plans. “But we have an action plan and we are working to identify those that did this.
“Second to that, we are trying to educate the public with reminders, not tickets, to lock their doors because these are crimes of opportunity.”
The crimes occurring happen late at night and involve a person or persons going through neighbourhoods and when they encounter an unlocked vehicle, going through it and stealing any valuables.
Several trucks have been stolen and, for the most part, they had keys inside, said Currie. Some garages have been accessed using remote openers, but in all these cases, according to Currie, the culprits gained access or opportunity through an unlocked vehicle.
RCMP members have been patrolling at night in an effort to catch those responsible. At the same time, Currie said, officers have been leaving friendly reminders for those whose vehicles are left unlocked.
He said it is an opportunity to remind people that theft from vehicles is opportunity based – in other words – none of the thefts involved broken windows or doors pried open.
Neighbourhoods hit include Dyrgas Gate, Eagle Terrace, Teepee Town and the downtown core. Over the past several weeks there have been numerous reports from residents of thefts, with crimes occurring every night for a time.
He said Canmore is not alone, as other communities outside Calgary like Cochrane have reported a similar increase.
“There has been quite an increase, but like I said, most of the time people are leaving their cars open and their keys in them,” Currie said.
