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Safeguard the season from holiday thieves

The Chilliwack RCMP offers advice on how to prevent opportunistic thieves from spoiling the season.

As residents in the Upper Fraser Valley prepare to give at Christmas there are those who plan to take.

The holiday season offers thieves greater opportunity to prey upon shoppers and home owners as they purchase gifts for family and friends.

The Chilliwack RCMP Traffic Services Section reminds everyone to lock their vehicle doors while shopping, and they're presenting that message on an electronic bill board that is rotating through the parking lots of Chilliwack businesses.

“In over 50 per cent of theft from vehicle reports received by police, the victim’s vehicle has been left unlocked,” said Cpl. Mike Rail. “Officers will be patrolling during the season, however, neighbours watching out for neighbours and reporting suspicious activity to police is a powerful means to keep our communities safe — not only at Christmas, but throughout the entire year.”

Here are some other helpful tips to protect your property and reduce crime;

- Always lock your vehicle doors.

- Do not leave valuables in plain view inside of your vehicle.

- Remove valuables from your vehicle once you have parked for the night.

- At home lock your windows and doors even when you are home and working outside.

- Check your mail daily.

 

For those planning to travel over the Christmas Season;

- Have someone check your home daily.

- Arrange to have newspapers and flyers picked up from the front of your home.

- Have the mail picked up daily or have the post office hold your mail while away.

As always, police remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to call the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).