Thanks to everyone’s great work, crime is on the decline downtown. Downtown Division is currently at approximately a 9% reduction in crime compared to last year. The majority of that reduction is due to residents, business owners, and companies taking a proactive stance towards crime prevention.

Let’s continue to reduce crime downtown. This month I wanted to focus on vehicle-related crimes. Many times these are crimes of opportunity. The following is a list of suggestions to reduce the chance of becoming a victim.

Remove any valuables from the vehicle. In the event that something needs to remain in the vehicle, place it out of sight. Make sure that the doors are locked and that the windows are closed. Do not leave your vehicle running with the keys in the ignition. Take your registration and insurance documents with you when you leave the vehicle.

Parkade security is everyone’s responsibility. Report any suspicious activity such as people loitering, people trying door handles, or people peering in windows. If you reside in a building that has a parkade, encourage the owner or manager to install security cameras. Ensure that the door is fully closed before proceeding when entering or leaving the parkade.

When parking your vehicle, choose a well lit area at night. Use a “club” or similar device to discourage theft. Use anti-theft screws on license plates. These screws are available at most police stations. They are simple to install but very difficult to remove without proper equipment. The necessary equipment to remove the screws is available at the police station.

The most recent statistics for Boyle Street and McCauley show the following improvements in theft from vehicles and theft of vehicles. The statistics are taken from mid-May to mid-June. The combined total of theft from vehicles is at 11 and theft of vehicle is at 7.

So how does this compare to previous years? May 2010 had a total of 32 events. May 2011 had a total of 19 events. Let’s work together and continue to bring those numbers down.

For additional information regarding crime trends in your neighborhood visit www.edmontonpolice.ca. In the “How do I…” section, select “map crime in my neighbourhood” and follow the instructions.

_Cst. Sanson can be contacted at samuel.sanson@edmontonpolice.ca