Property Crime

• Be extremely cautious of anyone you let into your home.
• Do not be fooled by a well-dressed person.
• Verify the identification of sales and service people. Check with their company via telephone. Call to see if they have sent a representative out. Note: This is applicable to police officers as well. Police officers always have credentials that can be verified by calling your local detachment.
• Keep an eye out for your neighbours. Don’t volunteer information about them to strangers.
• Report suspicious people and/or vehicles to the police in a timely manner.
• If you have recently purchased a major household item (Television, computer, etc.…) do not leave the empty box outside in plain sight. Take it to a recycling depot immediately or keep it out of sight until your scheduled recycling pickup day.
• Dogs are great deterrents
• When a stranger asks to use your phone, do not let him/her in your house. Offer to call for assistance on their behalf.

• Never reveal your name or address to a stranger.
• Never tell a stranger that you are alone.
• Don’t be afraid to hang up.
• Report indecent, harassment, and/or scam phone calls to your local police detachment. (For unwanted calls from telemarketers, call 1-888-382-1222 to register your phone number with the Federal Government on the Do Not Call list).

Create the illusion of occupancy:

• Leave your home in the care of someone you trust and let them know where you can be reached in case of an emergency
• Arrange to have newspapers, flyers, and mail picked up
• Arrange to have the grass cut, leaves raked, or snow removed as necessary.
• Have someone check both the inside and outside of your home periodically while you’re away.
• Use timers on interior lights and motion sensor lights for the exterior
• Have a neighbour park their car in your driveway or your designated parking stall.
• If you have a garage, keep the door closed and locked so no one can see if your vehicle is gone.
• Turn the ringer on your phone off or set your answering machine or voicemail to pick up on the second ring. Do not leave specific information about your absence on your message.
• Do not share your vacation plans on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

If you return home and discover your home has been broken into:

• DO NOT ENTER. Call the police immediately.
• Wait at a safe place (i.e.: neighbours) for the police to arrive.
• If you have entered your residence, do not touch anything or clean up until the police have arrived as you may disturb evidence.
• You can start making a preliminary list of items you notice missing.

• Call the police immediately and stay on the phone with the dispatcher until the police arrive.
• Remain inside.
• Turn on the lights.

• Call the police and keep the line open to the dispatcher if you are not able to speak.
• Do not engage the person.
• Try to leave through another door.

IF A PERSON TRAPS YOU INSIDE:

• Comply with their demands.
• If you are physically attacked, use whatever means you can use to fend off the attacker.