Crime Prevention Tips

Keep it locked:

• Ensure vehicles are locked when parked on the street, driveway, alley, or in the garage.
• Remove keys from the vehicle, even when parked in the garage. Keep them in a safe accessible place, but not on full view and have them away from the immediate area around points of entry to the house.
• Remove all valuables from the vehicle.
• Although garage remotes are designed to sit on the sun visor of the vehicle, I would advise keeping the remote in your purse or bag and not left in the vehicle.
• Attached garages, lock the internal garage door.
• Don’t consider your garage to be a secure place, remove valuable items or ensure
• Ensure all windows, especially basement windows are locked, and the locking mechanism is secure.

Doors and locks

• Solid wood or steel.
• Glass in doors at least 1 meter or 40 inches from lock or be unbreakable.
• Install peephole viewer.
• Secure all outside doors with deadbolt locks.
• Reinforce the locks with longer screws.

Yard 

• Trim plants and bushes in your yard to eliminate potential hiding places for burglars. Bushes below 2 feet, and trees trimmed above 7 feet.
• Install exterior lights to brighten dark areas around doors or windows to make the more easily seen by passersby.
• Use fencing that does not conceal the yard.
• Consider thorny bushes around vulnerable area and fence lines.
• Ensure the house number is clearly visible.

When away for extended periods of time, ensure:

• Your yard is maintained with snow removal, or grass cut.
• Newspaper / free publications are removed from outside.
• Have trusted friend or family check your property regularly.

Good witness: Be on the lookout for

• Suspicious people or activities.
• Vehicles passing numerous times or parked suspiciously.
• Strangers in the neighbourhood.
• Yelling or screaming.

If you see someone acting suspiciously, take note of:

• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Build, height and weight
• Hair colour and length
• Face shape
• Eye colour and shape
• Clothing type and colour
• Weapon or object.

If you’re watching an unusual vehicle:

• Make model
• Colour
• Licence plate number
• Number of occupants
• Body damage, bumper sticker or decals.
• OBSERVE, RECORD, REPORT.

Police reporting:
EMERGENCY OR CRIMES IN PROGRESS: 9-1-1

• NON EMERGENCY: 403-266-1234
• ONLINE REPORTING: http://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Report-a-crime.aspx
• Graffiti: for removal 311
• Take digital photographs and email to: cpsgraffiti@calgarypolice.ca