The new CompStat report by RCMP is showing an increase in property theft in areas divided by the Coquitlam River.
The overview is displaying about 50 theft-from-vehicle incidents across its jurisdiction, including nearly 15 in a pair of hot spots police are set to deploy more officers to patrol over the next two weeks.
Recent crime analysis is also a stint of business break-and-enters in the Westwood Street neighbourhood in Coquitlam, and residential break-and-enters in the area just south of Port Coquitlam's downtown core.
The public can expect more Mounties canvassing these neighbourhoods for related activity between now and Nov. 30 as part of its latest initiative:
AREA #1
- From Lougheed Highway in the west to Hastings Street in the east
- From Kitchener Avenue in the north to Dewdney Trunk Road in the south
AREA #2
- From Reeve Street in the west to Taylor Street in the east
- From Kelly Avenue in the north to Mercer Avenue in the south
In the meantime, Coquitlam Mounties are urging the public to take all steps necessary when it comes to protecting personal property to curb potential theft.
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 steal these items, they could use them to commit other crimes including identity theft and break-and-enter)
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.
