Saftey Tips

 

Sent to Norene by Daniela Seravalli our Community Liaison Officer

 

Staying safe at home

Build a great neighbourhood 

 

Preventing residential break-and-enters doesn’t mean looking out for just your own home — it covers your whole neighbourhood. The first step you can take to prevent crime in your neighbourhood is to work together. The Calgary Police Service suggests these tips to help you get started:

 

Get to know each other: Become familiar with the routines in your neighbourhoods and get to know your neighbours. Help build community spirit by hosting community or street-wide block parties or yard sales. Be aware of strangers and call police at 266-1234 if something or someone looks suspicious.

 

Talk to each other: Good neighbours look out for each other and let others know when they will be away. Leave keys and emergency phone numbers with a trusted neighbour, friend or relative.

 

Keep up appearances: A well-kept community is less attractive to criminals and vandals. Appearance often reflects residents' concerns, pride and willingness to work together.

 

Get involved in crime prevention: Block Watch is a program that brings concerned citizens and police together to reduce crime in neighbourhoods. For more information call 403-509-2565 or visit www.calgaryblockwatch.com.

 

Look out for the children: The Calgary Block Parent Association provides personal safety information and immediate assistance through a community safety network. Contact them at 403-269-6460 or www.calgaryblockparent.ca.

 

Register for PCAP: Register for the free PCAP (Police And Community Awareness Program) system by visiting www.calgarypolice.ca.. PCAP is a police-operated computer system that sends out recorded phone messages about criminal activity, police concerns and tips affecting your community.

 

Be suspicious, and report the following to the Calgary Police Service:

·         Unusual noises, such as someone yelling for help.

·         Vehicles moving slowly and randomly through the neighbourhood.

·         A stranger running or walking randomly through the neighbourhood.

·         A stranger sitting in a car, stopping to talk to a child, or looking into homes or parked cars.

·         Furniture being removed from homes when the owners are on vacation or at work.

·         Abandoned vehicles.

·         Unusual activities of pets, such as the repeated barking of a dog that is normally quiet.

·         Someone going door-to-door soliciting, and who refuses to provide proper identification.

·         If you see homes with open doors, front doors with keys left in the locks, or a neighbour's car with the trunk left open, give them a quick call to let them know.

 

Don’t hesitate to call: Many people believe that the police don’t want to be called if the caller is merely suspicious. This isn’t true: when in doubt — call the police. Use the general police line at 266-1234 for suspicious activities; use 911 for crimes in progress.

 

If you have community concerns, you could also call your Community Liaison Officer — every district of the city has several of these officers who act as points of contact for community policing initiatives and problem solving. Check www.calgarypolice.ca for a district map and phone numbers or call the police general line at 403-266-1234 — they’ll put you in contact with the CLO who looks after your community.

Glendale’s is Daniela Seravalli