SUNDRE - Local police are advising rural property and recreational vehicle owners to remain on guard against break-ins and thefts.
“Our office asks to (not only) please exercise vigilance and secure your RVs with the appropriate hitch locks, but also take the time to remove the batteries to make it less convenient to steal your property,” reads a portion of a Sundre RCMP detachment press release issued Oct. 14.
Additional theft-mitigation measures owners should consider implementing include monitored alarms, digital closed-circuit television video surveillance systems as well as asking a house sitter or caretaker to conduct periodic property checks at seasonal and rural properties.
Police also urge people to, “Take the time to photograph your items and document the model number and serial number of property you value. This extremely useful information can be provided to the police in the event that you are a victimized by thieves.”
Such information, which can be added to police databases, can prove invaluable not only in enabling authorities to return recovered stolen property to its rightful owner, but also provides key evidence in prosecuting the responsible perpetrators.
The Sundre detachment encourages residents to report sightings of suspicious vehicles or behaviour by calling the department at 403-638-3675, and also supports volunteers who join local Rural Crime Watch as well as Citizens on Patrol groups that assist local law enforcement.