As RCMP investigate a theft of personal belongings from Servus Credit Union Place from late April, they would like to remind the public not to give thieves the opportunity.
On Apr. 29 around 7:15 p.m. a black male suspect entered the male changeroom adjacent to the weight workout area at Servus Place. He stole a bag containing a wallet and a cellphone, which he later dumped in the back stairwell by the pool changeroom.
Cst. M.J. Burroughs with the St. Albert RCMP crime prevention unit recommends minimizing the opportunity you give criminals.
“We do live in a safe community, but you need to be aware of your surroundings,” she said. “People need to be vigilant about not keeping valuables in their vehicle, locking them up, or avoid bringing them altogether.”
With people going away on holidays for the summer, Burroughs advises residents to tell their neighbours when they’ll be returning, how they can be reached and if they should expect people coming by the home.
The Albert Motor Association (AMA) encourages people to have someone pick up their newspaper/mail, mow their lawn and check their house while away. Residents can use timers on their lights to create a lived-in look, lock all windows and doors and place a piece of wood in sliding window tracks for extra security.
Even while at home people should lock their doors, especially the door to an attached garage, both the AMA and the RCMP advise. They recommend leaving an extra key with a friend or neighbour, not hidden somewhere outside the home.
