Alberta RCMP issue fall property crime prevention tips
Mounties say thefts rise as seasonal properties sit empty and daylight hours shrink, leaving vehicles and equipment vulnerable.
Why it matters
Rural and acreage owners across Alberta face higher theft risk in fall and winter when properties sit vacant for longer stretches.
Alberta RCMP are reminding property owners, especially those with seasonal or rural properties, to take precautions as shorter, darker days set in. Police say property crimes are often crimes of opportunity that increase when fewer people are around to notice suspicious activity.
Recommendations include storing off-road vehicles in locked garages, sheds or storage units, emptying fuel tanks, and using wheel clamps or fencing to deter theft. Farm equipment should be kept in locked buildings, with batteries removed or wheel clamps applied when not in use, and keys stored separately and securely.
RCMP also advise owners to record serial numbers and equipment descriptions, mark items with identifying information such as a postal code, and remove valuables like tools and electronics from seasonal properties. Any items left behind should be locked up, with signage noting that valuables have already been removed.
Additional tips include storing outdoor furniture indoors, securing all doors, windows, gates and outbuildings before leaving a property unattended, ensuring firearms and hunting equipment are stored according to legislation, and considering security cameras, motion-activated lighting and GPS trackers for high-value equipment.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.