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Richmond RCMP are reminding people to be extra vigilant this Christmas season.

Photo via bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Police offer holiday home security tips

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:53 PST, Wed December 22, 2021

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Every year the holiday season brings increased property crime, and Richmond RCMP is reminding the public of steps that can be taken to help prevent your home from being a target for thieves.

“Most people know not to leave items in their vehicles while they shop, but thieves also target homes and vehicles in residential areas this time of year,” says Cpl. Ian Henderson. “Still, there are some things you can do to make life more difficult for thieves in the days before Christmas. One is a nightly check before settling in for your long winter’s nap.”

Each night until Christmas, police will be tweeting out reminders to residents to do a #9PMcheck. Common things you should check include:

• Vehicle doors locked, tools and valuables removed or hidden from sight

• Garage door opener and house keys removed from vehicle

• Garage door closed and light off

• Inside door from garage to home locked

• Bicycles locked and out of sight

• Motion lights on and working

• Yard gates closed

• Yard shed locked

• Front step, mail and packages taken inside

• Front door locked (no key left in door) and front light on

• Back door locked and back light on

• Windows closed and locked

• Blinds and curtains closed

• Valuables and keys secured

• Surveillance system on and recording

• Alarm activated

“It’s important for people to remember—thieves are opportunists,” says Henderson. “They’re looking in windows and checking out doors. Why would they buy things when they can take yours?”

Between 2019 and 2020, Richmond RCMP saw a 17 per cent drop in residential break and enters, a portion of which the RCMP says can likely be attributed to COVID-19 travel restrictions. With fewer restrictions and travel on the rise this holiday season, Richmond RCMP want to remind people of proactive measures they can take to help prevent their home from being targeted.

“Anything we can do to prevent a crime from occurring is a win for public safety which is why providing these tips is important. In addition to education, my team reviews all of the break and enters to identify trends or matching modus operandi,” says Sgt. Simon Lee.

Tips to help keep your home secure include:

• Do not keep ladders or tools on the outside of your home. If something can be used to gain entry into your home, keep it locked up and out of sight.

• While on vacation, arrange for someone to shovel/mow the lawn and park in your driveway. It’s ideal to have someone you trust housesit for you so your home is still lived in while you are away. If this is not possible, make sure your home looks lived in.

• Use timers on indoor lights and tamper-proof, motion sensor lights around the perimeter of your home. Lighting is the most effective crime prevention tool since criminals do not want to be seen.

For more tips on home security, visit the BC RCMP website.