Richmond RCMP is encouraging the community to help protect themselves from becoming victims of crime.
When it comes to having vehicles broken into for the sole purpose of stealing the contents inside, there are a number of things that people can do to ensure that they dont fall prey to criminals.
Theft from autos continues to be a crime in Richmond that the RCMP is focused on extinguishing.
The fact that criminals break into vehicles to steal anything of value from inside is nothing new, Cpl. Sherrdean Turley said.
This isnt an issue that is unique to Richmond however we are committed to do what we can to bring the number of these occurrences down.
Richmond RCMP holds monthly crime reduction meetings as a collaborative effort to reduce crime within the community.
Everything from identifying hot spots for criminal activity to ensuring that officers are aware of the prolific offenders and the crimes they commit is discussed.
As much as Richmond RCMP is focused on bringing criminals to justice and making the community safer, the police need your assistance in order to achieve success.
Theft from auto is a crime of opportunity and as such is preventable.
By following a few basic rules you can eliminate the likelihood that you will be a victim. The key is to get into the habit of consistently following the rules until it becomes second nature.
By taking the time to safeguard yourself and your family, you will hopefully avoid the cost and time spent on vehicle repairs and replacement of stolen items.
In order for your vehicle to be over looked by thieves, follow these tips:
Remove valuables from your vehicle. Never leave any items in plain view as doing so provides an easy target and attracts attention. Valuables may include loose change, cigarettes, lighters, CDs, sunglasses and clothing. If they can see it, they can steal it.
Park in well lit open areas when you are out and about. When at home, park in your garage and lock both your vehicle and garage.
Remove portable accessories such as stereo face plates and GPSs. Its important to remember that GPSs are usually programmed with your home address. Opt for a garage door opener that fits on your key ring instead of a model that clips on your visor. The combination of having your GPS and garage door opener stolen from your vehicle allows thieves easy access to your home.
Install an alarm. Alarms not only deter theft from your vehicle but theft of your vehicle as well. This does not mean that its safe to leave valuables in your vehicle as all it takes is a smashed window for thieves to quickly grab what they want and flee.
Use a locking device on your steering wheel. Not only does this prevent your vehicle from being stolen, it also tells thieves that a responsible person owns the vehicle and the likelihood of anything of value left in it is low.
