Good Day Block Watch Captains, Co-Captains & Participants,
Please find Block Watch Crime Alerts for September 15th to 28th attached.
West Vancouver Police have responded to 641 calls for service since our last update.
Break-ins
Since our last update that followed a week with no residential break-ins, we unfortunately must share that five break-ins have been reported in West Vancouver homes over the past two weeks. The reports came from areas near Taylor Way & Highway #1, Upper Ambleside, the British Properties & Southridge area.
Three of the five, involved suspects climbing to upper floors. Entry was gained in one case through an open upper window, in others suspects smashed through balcony doors. A ladder was used in one instance. Suspects in another report are believed to have used a tree close to the home to access an upper floor door.
The tactic of climbing to target upper floor balcony windows or doors is being observed here and in several Lower Mainland municipalities. Suspects target upper entry points in the hope they will not be secure or will not be equipped with alarm sensors or security video systems.
We encourage residents to check their properties to ensure they do not have unsecured ladders or have any trees or other natural features close to their homes that could be used by suspects to access upper floors. If you have an alarm or surveillance system, consider adding intrusion sensors on upper floors.
In another of the reports, a suspect was able to enter a garage through an unsecured side door, stealing house keys & a vehicle fob from an unlocked vehicle in the garage.
Please be watchful in all neighbourhoods and promptly call police if any suspicious persons or circumstances are noted.
Theft
Another Theft from Auto reported in progress in Dundarave did result in a suspect in custody for theft and for alleged breach of prior probation conditions.
Otherwise, vulnerable targets made easy work for suspects in several theft reports, including tools stolen from an open carport, and a briefcase, computer & personal financial documents stolen from an unlocked vehicle in a driveway. Catalytic converter theft reports returned, one report from the Horseshoe Bay area, another from the Central British Properties.
Fraud
Preventable Fraud offences also provide an unfortunate highlight to Crime Alerts this week. We received two separate reports of persons losing deposit money after believing they were buying authentic concert tickets through an on-line social media marketplace.
And the ‘Grandparent Scam’ suddenly resurfaced. Five separate reports were received at West Vancouver police over the past two weeks, involving intended victims contacted by suspects, falsely claiming a family member had been in a collision, arrested & needed bail money. Two of the five recognized the scam in time. Unfortunately, victims in the remaining three reports, transferred & lost funds before being alerted to the fraud.
WVPD in the Community – Cops For Cancer
Our 2023 Cops for Cancer rider Sgt. Chris Lincoln & the whole Tour de Coast team concluded their annual 8-day bicycle tour of the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast & Sea-to-Sky Corridor last Friday. Chris & our two Support Crew members contributed total fundraising to the Canadian Cancer Society & Pediatric Cancer programs of $14,238. Support crew members from West Vancouver Police also helped facilitate generous donations of a team bus & driver and a cargo trailer, saving the Tour approximately $8000 in transport costs. The overall 2023 Tour de Coast fundraising total will be announced in October after conclusion of a BC Wide Cops for Cancer Raffle. Thank you to all who supported our efforts on behalf of children & families facing a journey with pediatric cancers.
If you see activity of concern, please don’t hesitate to call West Vancouver Police. Call 604-925-7300 for non-emergency matters. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency, including events that involve an immediate threat to a person or property or to report a substantive crime in progress.
Jeff Palmer
Block Watch & Operational Support Coordinator
t: 604-925-7363 | c: 604-785-2446
Sunny Summer days in a lawn chair but a memory for now?
