During the month of April, RCMP in Alberta are promoting Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and sharing some tips homeowners can employ to deter would-be thieves.

CPTED boils down to environmental and design factors that reduce crime either through making properties difficult to access or by deterring criminals altogether.

Cst. Candace Harris with Okotoks RCMP says just a few minor changes can go a long way.

"So many times, you don't even realize how much crime you're actually preventing by making these changes because ultimately, the result is that no property damage or no theft ended up occurring due to these deterring factors of the basic environmental design or any small little changes you can do for your property."

Some forms of CPTED include trimming shrubbery near windows in order to provide a clear line of sight into yards, ensuring garage doors are shut, and ensuring all doors and windows are locked.

Harris says fencing is one of the more obvious methods, which may be particularly effective for Okotoks residents participating in the recently announced deer fencing pilot project.

"Having any sort of perimeter fence or border with a closed gate can also help create property barrier, which also helps establish that boundary and make it less appealing for would-be criminals. With seven feet, that'd be pretty tough to access."

Establishing a 9:00 p.m. routine is another good form of CPTED, which Harris says RCMP are always encouraging.

"That would be to go around and ensure your windows are closed, your exterior doors are locked, your garage doors are closed, your gates are locked shut, and ensuring that you may have someone maintaining your property if you have any extended periods away from your home."

Another one is lighting.

Well-lit yards are a great deterrent, with motion-activated lights adding an additional element of surprise.

Harris says that can also assist RCMP who are out on patrol.

"Visibility can be seen as a deterrent for criminals, so it's worth installing these LED or motion sensor lights in dark corners and key areas around your property and from a policing standpoint, patrolling a well-lit neighbourhood can assist at night time, especially if we're looking for any sort of suspicious activity, or as a way to find any would-be criminals or someone lurking around. If the neighbourhood is well-lit, that's always welcome to police officers."

While RCMP encourages residents to employ forms of CPTED to prevent property crime, they're encouraging Albertans to report suspicious activity to police, and for anyone witnessing a crime in progress to call 911.

 

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