Home break-and-enters appear to be on the rise in Coquitlam.
As a result, RCMP officers are set to roam around and keep a watchful eye over the next two weeks in hopes of combatting related crimes — specifically in the neighbourhoods of Town Centre and Rochester Park.
Mounties are reporting an increase in home break-ins in both "hotspot" areas, as well as theft from vehicles.
In Town Centre's vicinity, reports of vehicle theft and break-ins at local businesses have also taken place in recent weeks.
The latest CompStat report is prompting police once again to urge the public to take all steps necessary when it comes to protecting personal property.
This includes:
- Locking doors and closing windows
- Parking in well-lit/well-populated areas where "natural surveillance" can serve as a deterrent
- Closing garage doors at night
- Taking your garage opener, house and/or business keys and vehicle registration papers out of your vehicle when it’s parked
- If thieves stole these items, they could use them to commit other crimes including identity theft and break-and-enter
From now until Oct. 5, residents can expect RCMP in the following neighbourhoods:
AREA #1
- From Falcon Drive in the west to Pinetree Way in the east
- From Walton Avenue in the north to Aberdeen Avenue in the south
AREA #2
- From Nelson Street in the west to Laurentian Crescent in the east
- From Dansey Avenue in the north to Brunette Avenue in the south
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is encouraged to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 or call 911 if there’s a theft in progress.
