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August 26, 2014 - 3:36 PM
KELOWNA – Calling it a “crime of opportunity” Mounties are advising Kelowna residents to keep doors and windows locked when leaving home; thieves are taking advantage of those who fail to do so.
Unlocked doors and open windows have led to a surge of break-and-enter cases in the city, with officers noting most offenses in the Rutland area.
In the last two weeks, 63 per cent of the break-and-enters were directly attributed to residents’ lack of security.
“You wouldn't put a sign on your front lawn telling people that your home is unlocked, but that’s essentially what you’re doing when a window or door is left open or unlocked,” says Supt. Nick Romanchuk in a press release.
Easy targets for theft have extended beyond houses to cars. RCMP spokesperson Kris Clark says a lack of proper security when it comes to leaving valuables in cars continues to attract theft from vehicles. Fifty-five per cent of cases involve the car owner leaving valuables such as wallets and electronics in plain sight.
Romanchuk advises removing valuables from the car altogether.
“Hiding your wallet or your keys inside your vehicle is not an effective means of security as, more often than not, thieves will find it,” says Supt. Romanchuk.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2014