The Hub

Constable Wil Johnston
He can be reached at 403-567-6300 (Office)

• Lock It or Loose It
  Fast, easy tips to protect your vehicle against theft
  
  It takes just seconds for a criminal to break into your vehicle. Less than a minute later, your valuables — even your entire vehicle — could be gone. It can take weeks to settle an auto theft insurance claim, and...  Read More
  
  
• Vandalism
  Cut the cost of Vandalism, How to reduce vandalism in your neighborhood
  
  Vandalism takes time and money to clean up or repair, whether it happens on private or public property.Vandalism that includes hateful messages can hurt individuals or groups of people. Vandalism can be dangerous, too... Read More

Cut the costs of vandalism!
How to reduce vandalism in your neighborhood
Did you know . . .

• That vandalism is never a victimless crime?
  
  • Vandalism takes time and money to clean up or repair, whether it happens on private or public property.
  • Vandalism that includes hateful messages can hurt individuals or groups of people.
  • Vandalism can be dangerous, too - how would you feel if a child was injured because a stop sign was removed, for example, or if someone couldn't call 9-1-1 because a phone had been broken?

Every member of the community can help prevent vandalism. Here's how!

• What does vandalism look like?
  Vandalism takes many forms, some of which include:

• Graffiti
• Broken street lights
• Spray paint on road signs
• Knocked-over mailboxes
• Damaged fences
• Overturned garbage cans
• Broken glass left on playgrounds or roads

• What should I do if I see vandalism?
  
  • If you see vandalism or graffiti in progress, call the Calgary Police Service at 9-1-1.
  • To report vandalism that has already occurred, call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.
  • To report graffiti that has already occurred, call the City of Calgary at 3-1-1.

• How can I help to prevent vandalism?
  
  • When vandalism and graffiti occur in a neighbourhood, they tend to attract further incidents - that's why it's so important to clean up or repair the damage as quickly as possible. (The City of Calgary requires, for example, that graffiti be removed or painted over within 72 hours.) Other preventive measures include: Using good lighting and locking gates and garages around your business or home.
  • Knowing your neighbours, and being watchful for strangers.
  • Working with Calgary Block Watch (www.calgaryblockwatch.com; 403-509-2565) to help build strong communities.
  • Visiting www.calgary.ca for tips on graffiti clean-up, including paint discounts.
  • Requesting presentations or information about vandalism prevention from your Calgary Police Service community liaison officer or from the City of Calgary.
  • Calling the City of Calgary at 3-1-1 to report abandoned cars, so that they can be removed as quickly as possible.
  • Supporting recreational programs for young people in your community.
  • Organizing clean-up or repair projects in your neighbourhood.
  • Adopting a street or park in your neighbourhood to care for it and keep it clean

It takes just seconds for a criminal to break into your vehicle. Less than a minute later, your valuables - even your entire vehicle - could be gone. It can take weeks to settle an auto theft insurance claim, and since claims are usually based on your vehicle's value rather than its replacement cost, it could leave you thousands of dollars short - all for the sake of a few oments of your time.

Since vehicle theft is often a crime of opportunity, the Calgary Police Service recommends these measures to make your vehicle less attractive to thieves.

• Lock it up. Close the windows, lock the doors and the trunk, and take your keys with you - never leave your vehicle unlocked, even for the few minutes it takes to duck into a store or run back into the house. And don't hide a key on the vehicle - criminals know ALL the hiding spots.

• Turn it off. Never leave your vehicle idling alone, even if you lock the doors. It costs the environment in emissions, and it could cost you when a criminal bypasses the door lock in seconds.

• Hide your valuables. Wherever and whenever you park, remove your valuables - including any removable stereos. If that's not practical (you're in the middle of a shopping day, for example), hide the valuables in the trunk, out of sight, and then move the vehicle to a different place in the parking lot. Thieves watch parking lots to see who's stashing shopping bags and then heading back into the mall.

• Stow it right. If you have a garage, use it and lock it. If you don't, choose a parking spot that's as well lit and well travelled as possible, within sight of your windows.

• Think security. If your vehicle has an alarm, use it. If it doesn't, consider installing one, or at least using an anti-theft device such as a steering-wheel locking bar. These items can deter some criminals, and can delay others. If your vehicle is especially attractive to criminals, consider installing a security system such as an electronic vehicle disabling device, a hood-locking device or a location tracking system.

• Protect yourself. Never leave any identifying information, such as your name, address, phone number or vehicle registration/insurance in the vehicle. Carry it in your wallet or purse instead, and never leave these items in the vehicle. You'll also need the registration and insurance details in case the vehicle is stolen, so it's a great idea to make an extra copy of these documents, to keep at home.

• Report it! If you see suspicious people in or around vehicles, call the Calgary Police Service at 266-1234. And if your vehicle is broken into or stolen, report it to police right away, regardless of loss or insurance coverage. Break-ins are rarely isolated - reporting them immediately with as much detail as possible can help police in their investigation.

For more crime prevention tips, visit the Calgary Police Service web site at www.calgarypolice.ca.