Rural crime has continued to be a hot-button topic since the Rural Crime Report was released by the federal Liberal Party in May.

Foothills MP John Barlow has repeatedly slammed the report, saying the Liberals didn't take into account recommendations or testimony presented by the Conservative Party.

High River RCMP Sergeant Ryan Dlin says there are many ways to help prevent rural crime.

"A common theme is, take the keys out of the vehicles, and lock them up," Dlin said. "Even if you have never done that before, because you live on an acreage and nobody's bothered your vehicle before, please lock them up."

While locking your car is often the most intuitive prevention technique, it isn't the only way to deter criminals.

"The other issue that we're seeing is, if people leave garage door openers in their vehicles, people will break in, open up the garage door," Dlin said. "And then if the interior door from the garage into the house is open, we're seeing that people will actually go into the house looking for keys. So make sure those interior doors are locked as well, and that's a huge help."

Dlin says rural crime can be prevented through cooperation by police as well.

"We continue to try and make more patrols out into the rural areas, trying to hit those roads that typically you never see a police vehicle down," he said.

 

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