100 Avenue in downtown Grande Prairie (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff)

By Abby Zieverink

April is CPTD month

RCMP see uptick in break and enters at Grande Prairie businesses for March

Apr 6, 2022 | 5:00 AM

Grande Prairie RCMP says there was an uptick in break and enters reported at businesses in the City of Grande Prairie last month.

Although there has been an influx in break and enters for both businesses and homes since the beginning of January in the Swan City, Sgt. Shawn Graham says between March 1st and 21st, there were break and enters reported at 19 businesses and seven residences in the city.

“Generally, the B&E is more split between residential and business types. But in March there were more business break and enters,” he explained.

Of the 19 businesses broken into, Sgt. Graham says they suffered property damage including broken windows and doors.

RCMP officers in the city have recently arrested a suspect believed to be involved in several of the break and enters. Information related to the suspect has not been released due to the ongoing investigation.

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With April also marking which is Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTD) month, Sgt. Graham suggests there are ways to help deter criminals from breaking into your business.

“Having appropriate lighting so that at night there is still adequate lighting that would deter criminals from coming and breaking into your building,” he said.

“Trimming hedges or bushes so there are no hidden spots that people can hide in and break into the business and removing items that could be used to access the building or get on the roof which would allow them to get into the businesses.”

Other tips include ensuring all the windows and doors to the business are securely closed and locked as well as having a surveillance system.

“Installing an alarm system, an inaudible alarm if possible, check the surveillance system to ensure they’re working properly, and posting signs indicating that the business is under video surveillance as well and have that active alarm,” he added.

If you discover a break-in has occurred at your business or home, Sgt. Graham says to call the RCMP and do not enter the building.

“What might be very important to solving the crime could be evidence left at the scene so we could be able to collect some of that evidence,” he explained.

“Then the owner can go into the residence or business and determine what items were stolen and provide that information to us so if we do come across items during search warrants or if we find them, we can attempt to get them back to their owners.”

To report suspicious activity, call the Grande Prairie RCMP at 780-830-5700, or contact your local police detachment.