Crime Prevention & Safety:
Keeping Kingsland Safe

Each month we will feature a safety tip as this topic is of great concern to the community.

Watch this short video from the Calgary Police Service called The 9:00 pm Routine for great tips on safety in your neighbourhood.

• Preventing Bike Theft - What you can do:
  
  • Ensure the bike is locked up properly by securing the wheels and the bike frame to a solid object. Use multiple locks.
  • Take easily removable items with you, such as bells, seats and lights.
  • Avoid securing your bike in a predictable fashion, such as putting it in the same bicycle rack in the same place every day.
  • Ensure garages and storage sheds are locked.
  • IMPORTANT: Record your bike's serial number and take photos of your bike to assist in recovery.
  • Report your bike if it is lost or stolen by going to Calgarypolice.ca and filling in an online report.
• Refundable Bottles and Cans
  
  • Bottles and cans left out for the less fortunate may seem like a good idea. But is it? Police say, they should never be left out for any reason – it encourages people to return to your property – creating another opportunity for theft.
  • After you take your recyclables to the Bottle Depot, maybe consider donating the money to one of the agencies that can better help our less fortunate.
• Garage Doors
  • The stats speak for themselves! How many times have you passed by a neighbours and noticed the Garage Door was left open? It happens more often than you think.
  • "Offenders have to use force to gain entry in only 34% of Break ins." That means 66% of the time, no force is used!
  
  • Never give a thief an easy in, make sure your Garage/Man Doors are Closed and Locked.
  • If you see a neighbours garage door has been left open, take a moment to let them know - they'll be grateful you did.
• Lock Vehicles
  
  • IS IT LOCKED? As of January 2020, Kingsland experienced a total of 199 vehicle related crimes. That increase is up from 110 vehicle related crimes compared to January 2019.
  • Never ASSUME your vehicle is locked, check to make sure it is.
• Panhandlers
  • Keep your change to change lives
  • We all know the feeling of wanting to help when a person in need asks us for money on the street.
  • But sometimes spare change can actually hurt more than it helps. Instead of giving money to panhandlers, consider making a donation to an agency that supports people dealing with homelessness, addictions and hunger. When your money goes through these organizations, people get the supports they need to change their lives and break the cycle of poverty.
  • When you give money directly to a panhandler, they can rely on that cash instead of getting the supports they really need. It also encourages them to continue taking risks like panhandling in traffic or in extreme cold, putting their safety on the line.
  • Next time you get asked for change, remember that sometimes the most helpful thing you can say to a panhandler is “sorry, no.”
  
  • Sgt B Norman
    3668
    District 6
    Calgary Police Service