Red Deer RCMP are reminding homeowners to protect their property by removing garage door openers from vehicles.
“We’ve had two recent incidents where criminals entered unlocked vehicles and took the garage door openers,” says Cpl. Mike Evans, Red Deer RCMP Community Policing Unit.
“They then used these openers to access the garage at a later time, which resulted in further theft from the property.”
Criminals can use theft from automobiles to commit other crimes, including identify fraud, police say. By locking your car and keeping your valuables out of sight, you are protecting yourself from theft and vandalism and helping keep the community safe.
Theft of vehicles in Red Deer has dropped significantly in the last five years, but more can be done to prevent this crime of opportunity.
- Always lock your vehicle — and never leave an unlocked vehicle idling while unattended.
- Keep valuables out of sight, including garage door openers and insurance papers. When possible, program the garage door into your vehicle’s computer system, eliminating the need for a separate door opener.
- Consider purchasing a Smart Plug to control the garage door from an app.
- Make sure to lock both the overhead garage door, as well as the door between the garage and the house.
- Consider unplugging your garage door if you will be away for an extended period.
The Red Deer RCMP encourages Red Deerians to report all crime and suspicious activity. This allows the RCMP to track activity, identify patterns, and plan resources. You can report by calling the non-emergency police line at 403-343-5575.