Crime
Prevention at Home: Securing Homes, Vehicles, and Belongings
by
BRCA Safe Community Committee
Most
break‑and‑enter and vehicle thefts are crimes of opportunity, and consistent
habits dramatically reduce risk. Adopt the ‘9:00 pm routine’ for your
household: lock all doors and windows, remove valuables from vehicles
(including garage door remotes), close garage doors, switch on exterior lights,
and set alarms. Teach these habits to all family members so security becomes
second nature. Keep keys out of sight and away from entryways and consider a
lockbox for spare keys rather than hiding them outside. If you have smart
devices (cameras, doorbells, etc.), enable two‑factor authentication and keep
firmware up to date to prevent unauthorized access.
Layer
Your Prevention with Simple Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
Steps
Improve
visibility by trimming shrubs near doors and windows, adding motion‑sensor
lights at entries, and using house numbers that are visible at night. Reinforce
doors with quality deadbolts (minimum one‑inch throw) and strike‑plate screws
that penetrate the framing. For sliding doors, place a dowel or bar in the
track and consider a pin lock. Ground‑floor windows benefit from locking
hardware and security film. When travelling, avoid announcing plans on social
media, use timers on interior lights, and ask a neighbour to collect packages
and shovel the sidewalk and entrance way.
Vehicle
Security is Equally Important
Always
lock vehicles and park in well‑lit areas, avoid leaving the engine running
unattended (warm‑up theft is common in winter). Remove valuables and garage or
parkade remotes from vehicles. Consider a steering‑wheel lock or an immobilizer
for added deterrence. For bikes, register serial numbers, use a high‑quality kryptonite
U Lock through the frame with a secure anchor, and store bikes indoors when
possible. Photograph valuables and record serial numbers to assist recovery if
theft occurs. Finally, coordinate with neighbours. Share tips, notice patterns
(like late‑night prowling), and report incidents. Routine, accurate reporting helps CPS direct
resources where they are needed most.
Find
out more with the City of Calgary Crime Prevention tip sheets at calgarypolice.ca/public-safety/crime-prevention.html.
Community
Safety Contacts
·
9-1-1 for Emergency Services
(For emergencies or crimes in progress)
·
403-266-1234 for Calgary Police
Non-Emergency Line
·
3-1-1 for City of Calgary
(Report graffiti or vandalism); or https://www.calgary.ca/bylaws/graffiti-recording-reporting-removing.html
·
800-222-8477 for Crime Stoppers
Anonymous Tips Line; or www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx.
·
2-1-1 for Mental Health Support
The
BRCA Safe Community Committee exists to enhance the safety, security, and
well-being of Bridgeland residents through collaboration, community connection,
and proactive initiatives. We believe the safest communities are those where
all members feel welcome and included, supported by a strong sense of
belonging, active engagement, and regular interaction with one another. If you
are interested in contributing to the safety of Bridgeland, please contact us
at [email protected], or join us for our meetings at 7:00 pm at the
BRCA Hall Lantern Room on the first Tuesday of each month.
Did
you know that D.O.G.O.S. is an active sub-group of the Committee? Watch out for
our next newsletter where we will be excited to launch the D.O.G.O.S. summer
program. This will include group walking activities (with or without your furry
friends) to map our neighbourhood and identify areas of concern, and report via
the 3-1-1 app. If you wish to learn more about D.O.G.O.S. and how you can
participate, please email [email protected].
Click here to the Bridgeland/Riverside Community News home page for the latest Bridgeland/Riverside community updates.
