Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

CRIME PREVENTION WEEK

Kamloops RCMP urges citizens to reduce attractants for would-be criminals during Crime Prevention Week

Nov 3, 2022 | 11:34 AM

KAMLOOPS — Nov. 1 to 7 is Crime Prevention Week throughout British Columbia.

In Kamloops, RCMP are urging residents to make sure they’re doing what they can to reduce attractants on their property and in their motor vehicles to ensure there are fewer opportunities for would-be criminals.

“So if we look into this vehicle right here, we can have a look to see what attractants we might find,” Cpl. Dana Napier demonstrates. “Right off the start, we can see there’s a cell phone with a credit card attached to it. Keys are quite easy to grab, they’re on the seat. Then the phone charger and other items in the car all could contribute to your vehicle being more attractive to would-be thieves.”

Property crimes are the most common crimes that take place, as often they are crimes of opportunity. Cpl. Napier suggests that residents and property owners ensure they make their presence felt and check their homes and vehicles every night.

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“What we like to do is recommend that at 9 o’clock every night, we have a 9 p.m. routine,” Cpl. Napier says. “What you can do is go through your entire house and make sure all your doors and windows are closed, make sure your garage door is closed, and that you have your garage door opener inside and not left in your vehicle overnight. Then make sure anything out on your property is put away and stored inside. Those are things we can do to keep those attractants away from the public eye and any people that are potentially looking to steal.”

According to Kamloops RCMP, the average number of thefts from motor vehicles has declined over the past two years. With increased vigilance from the citizens of the city, they hope those numbers continue to decline.

“From Nov. 1, 2020, to Oct. 31, 2021, we saw an average of 33 thefts from motor vehicles during that period of time. During the same period this year, we’ve actually seen that go down to 29. We’re hoping to continue that downward trend, with everyone taking part in making their vehicles less attractive.”