(Everything GP/ File Photo)

By Abby Zieverink

JULY CRIME STATS

Crime prevention tips effective in Grande Prairie, suggests RCMP

Aug 15, 2021 | 6:00 AM

RCMP report that crime in Grande Prairie has dropped from July year over year and police hope the trend continues.

Grande Prairie RCMP Sgt. Shawn Graham says police responded to nearly 400 fewer calls in July this year, compared to July 2020.

“Compared to last year, things are certainly down from last year, which is a good thing.”

Mounties reported the biggest decline came n theft from a motor vehicle comparing July 2020 and 2021 from a list including break and enters, theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, and possession of stolen property.

Graham believes these stats are going down because he believes people are more aware of preventing crime from happening.

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“People are much more aware of what’s going on around them and reporting suspicious activity, following crime prevention tips about securing property and securing their residence.”

Possession of stolen property and break and enters also saw decreases.

RCMP saw 35 cases of possession of stolen property in July 2020. That went down to 19 for this past July. The number of break and enters dropped from 34 to 20.

Graham suggests this is due to the RCMP increasing crime prevention tips to the public.

“In the last couple of months, there have been lots of public service announcements getting out there, trying to educate and increase the information to the public in how we can prevent things.”

Graham says crimes are about an opportunity, so crime prevention tips like a 9 p.m. routine are crucial in preventing theft from happening to you.

“So, somebody’s checking door handles, if one happens to be open then that vehicle, potentially, somebody could go in there and start stealing things. If it’s locked, then that is a deterrence just because it’s locked.”

Graham suggests things you can include in a 9 p.m. routine include adding additional lighting outside, checking all the doors to ensure they are locked, and ask yourself the following: s everything put away properly? Are my vehicles locked? Are the valuables taken out of the vehicles?