A Message from Cst. Walter Kachmar
Community Resource Officer
Calgary Police Service
As the Community Resource Officer for Evergreen, Bridlewood, Shawnessy, Somerset and Millrise, I would like to remind all my community partners that crime prevention is a collaborative effort between the Calgary Police Service and the communities we serve. Break-ins, carprowlings and vehicle thefts are still occurring far too often to not be of a concern. A significant number of these crimes were apparently crimes of opportunity. Unlocked vehicles, garage doors left open or unlocked, and garage door openers left in vehicles that are parked outside. In addition to the types of opportunities, many vehicles are stolen while left unattended and running, with the keys in the ignition. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE RUNNING WHEN UNATTENDED.
Please follow these crime prevention strategies to help deter crime in your communities:
The arrival of warmer weather finds people leaving windows and doors open throughout the day and night. This is an invitation for persons to break in and steal property or money, along with your credit cards and personal information. Here are a few ways to protect yourself and your property while you are at home but maybe out in the backyard or at a neighbours for a quick visit:
If you are traveling away this summer, even for a couple of days, take the following steps to protect your home:
These are just a few suggestions to help you keep your self and your home safe this summer. If you require more information on home security or any other police related matter, please contact your Community Resource Officer
As a reminder, the best tool we have to deter crime is communication. I encourage you to report any crime, suspicious activity or suspicious person(s) that you observe. It may seem insignificant to you at the time but it may be the break we are looking for. If something doesn’t seem right please report it to the police. When reporting please consider that the police will ask your for a description of the person(s) and their clothing, any associated vehicles and the description of same, licence plate numbers and the last known location and/or direction of travel.
Activities that may be suspicious include:
If you’d like to report an incident that is not an emergency please call the Calgary Police Service at 266-1234. For all emergencies, including a crime in progress, an injury accident or any life and death situation call 911 immediately. Together we can make our communities safer.
Take care and have a wonderful Summer!
Cst. Walter Kachmar
Calgary Police Service
Community Resource Officer
Community Resource Officer
Calgary Police Service
As the Community Resource Officer for Evergreen, Bridlewood, Shawnessy, Somerset and Millrise, I would like to remind all my community partners that crime prevention is a collaborative effort between the Calgary Police Service and the communities we serve. Break-ins, carprowlings and vehicle thefts are still occurring far too often to not be of a concern. A significant number of these crimes were apparently crimes of opportunity. Unlocked vehicles, garage doors left open or unlocked, and garage door openers left in vehicles that are parked outside. In addition to the types of opportunities, many vehicles are stolen while left unattended and running, with the keys in the ignition. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE RUNNING WHEN UNATTENDED.
Please follow these crime prevention strategies to help deter crime in your communities:
- Always lock your vehicle when unattended
- Remove the garage door opener when parking your vehicle(s) outside
- Develop a routine at the end of the night, checking to make sure all doors, windows and vehicles are closed and locked before you go to bed.
- If you have an attached garage, ensure you always lock the door leading from the garage into your home.
- Do not leave valuables in your vehicle when unattended. Remove purses and wallets from your vehicle, even if parked in your garage.
- If you see a neighbor has left a garage door open or vehicle unlocked, please knock on their door and let them know to secure their property.
The arrival of warmer weather finds people leaving windows and doors open throughout the day and night. This is an invitation for persons to break in and steal property or money, along with your credit cards and personal information. Here are a few ways to protect yourself and your property while you are at home but maybe out in the backyard or at a neighbours for a quick visit:
- Never leave your garage door open and unattended, even if you’re just around the corner or working in the back yard.
- Always lock your front and back doors, even if you are home. Do not leave them open for ventilation. Use small windows and fans to circulate the air.
- Do not leave your purse, wallet or vehicle keys near a door or window. Keep them out of sight.
- Do not leave tools, toys, bicycles or other belongings in the front yard or driveway.
- Lock your vehicle(s) and roll the windows up. Do not leave valuables in plain view on the seats or on the floor.
If you are traveling away this summer, even for a couple of days, take the following steps to protect your home:
- Leave lights on and/or use a timer. Indoor and outdoor lighting should be utilized. If possible have a neighbour randomly turn lights on and off while you’re away. Have them turn the television or radio on for a few hours a night.
- Cancel your newspaper or have a neighbourhood pick up your newspapers and flyers while you are away.
- Have someone pick up your mail every day or every second day.
- Forward your residential telephone to a family member or friend. This will give anyone trying to find out if you’re home the impression that you are not away.
- Have someone cut and water your grass. Have them water your plants as well.
- Have a neighbour or friend park in your driveway. This leaves the impression that someone is at home.
- Do not mention on your voicemail, facebook or other social media that you are away.
- Take extra steps to secure your windows and doors, such as locks and reinforcement plates. Place locks or bolts through the tracks of your overhead garage door to prevent it from opening.
- Inform the neighbours you trust if you are going away, but do it in private. Conversations that are overheard by potential break and enter offenders could result in an opportunity for them.
These are just a few suggestions to help you keep your self and your home safe this summer. If you require more information on home security or any other police related matter, please contact your Community Resource Officer
As a reminder, the best tool we have to deter crime is communication. I encourage you to report any crime, suspicious activity or suspicious person(s) that you observe. It may seem insignificant to you at the time but it may be the break we are looking for. If something doesn’t seem right please report it to the police. When reporting please consider that the police will ask your for a description of the person(s) and their clothing, any associated vehicles and the description of same, licence plate numbers and the last known location and/or direction of travel.
Activities that may be suspicious include:
- Person(s) knocking or ringing your doorbell unexpectedly. When you speak to them they have no real reason to be there. (“I was looking for my friend”. “I am trying to make a few dollars. Do you need yardwork done?”. “My car broke down”.) Not all of these types in incidents will be crime-related but they might certainly be of interest to the police.
- People walking around the neighbourhood, seemingly without purpose. They may be walking back and forth or walking through yards. Many thefts and break and enters happen during the day while people are at work, but crime can happen any time, day or night.
- Suspicious vehicles driving around the community.
If you’d like to report an incident that is not an emergency please call the Calgary Police Service at 266-1234. For all emergencies, including a crime in progress, an injury accident or any life and death situation call 911 immediately. Together we can make our communities safer.
Take care and have a wonderful Summer!
Cst. Walter Kachmar
Calgary Police Service
Community Resource Officer
