Property related offences are up 30 per cent in so far in 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, according to police.
From January 1 to February 19, the Prince George RCMP have received 661 reports of property crimes compared to 503 during the same period last year.
Thefts from vehicles continue to be an issue in Prince George increasing from 76 in 2016 to 88 in 2017. The Heritage area and downtown are being hit particularly hard, as well as commercial parking lots. Police are pleading with the public to lock vehicle doors and never leave valuables including purses and wallets in your vehicle. In some cases, licence plates or validation decals are being stolen.
“Like many other communities, there are people that walk residential streets late at night or early in the morning, checking every car door to see if it is unlocked,” said Cpl. Craig Douglass, spokesperson for the Prince George RCMP, in a press release. “Residents that leave valuables in their vehicles and their doors unlocked are fueling this property crime trend. We need to all do our part to eliminate this crime. Don’t be a victim. Remove valuables, lock doors and report suspicious activity to police.”
Police are also finding a spike in break and enters to businesses. Police received 32 such reports between January 1 and February 19. There were 15 reported in the same period last year. Doors are being pried open or entry is gained through other openings in the businesses. Gated compounds are being targeted as well. Please take the necessary steps to ensure your business has adequate security in place.
