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By Liam Verster
Crime rates fall in City, County

Crime rates decrease in Grande Prairie area, province sees fewer vehicle thefts

Feb 4, 2021 | 2:02 PM

The crime rates in the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment areas saw big decreases in 2020 on a year-over-year basis.

Sergeant Shawn Graham with the Grande Prairie RCMP says compared to 2019, there was a 34 per cent decrease in motor vehicle thefts in the City and a 41 per cent decrease in the County and in rural areas. Those rates translate to 198 fewer motor vehicle thefts in the City and 87 fewer in the County on a year over year basis.

Theft under $5,000 fell by 30 per cent, or 865 fewer cases in the City, and by 62 per cent, or 249 fewer thefts in the County when compared to 2019.

Break and enters decreased by 28 per cent or 155 instances in the City and by 31 percent or 56 fewer B&Es in the County as well.

“Overall, as far as just criminal code offences, the City saw a 14 per cent decrease, and the County saw a 30 per cent decrease,” says Graham.

These figures come following a release of vehicle crime rates from across Alberta.

Between March and December 2020, compared to the same time period in 2019, thefts from vehicles decreased by 27 per cent in urban areas, and by 29 per cent in rural Alberta.

Meanwhile, theft of motor vehicles fell by 26 per cent in urban places, and by 21 per cent in rural settings.

In total, over 7,800 thefts from vehicles were reported in Alberta in 2020, while over 7,100 instances of theft of motor vehicles occurred.

Graham says it’s good to see these rates decrease, but more preventative measures can still be taken to help keep those rates down.

Jennifer Kee, the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist for Alberta RCMP, echoes Graham’s sentiment, and offers some advice for people to ensure criminals don’t have any incentives to break into vehicles.

“We want to re-emphasize to the public; let’s just keep practicing vehicle safety by locking your vehicle; parking in well lit areas; definitely do not leave valuables inside your vehicle; remove your garage door opener; and if at all possible, if you have a key fob that you’re using for your vehicle, try to lock the vehicle by using the driver side door handle lock as opposed to using the key fob itself” says Kee.

“The reason for this is there is technology out there now which is allowing people to intercept the signal from your key fob to your vehicle. So when you push to lock it there is a signal that’s sent between the two, and there is technology out there right now that is allowing that signal to be intercepted, which means your door actually isn’t locked any more, and they can go and rummage through and take what they like.

Graham also says using vehicle tracking systems can be beneficial, and to never leave keys inside an unattended, running vehicle.

Graham adds that the community has generally been really good at reporting crime, which is very important in helping serve and protect the public.

“It really helps us [identify] where to look and what to look for, and where to patrol in the future,” says Graham.

He encourages anyone who witnesses suspicious activity to report it to the RCMP at 780-830-5701 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. In the case of an emergency or crime in progress, people should call 911.

by Liam Verster