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Cranbrook, BC (October 21, 2024) – From July to September 2024, Cranbrook RCMP members responded to a total of 2,358 reports to police, an increase of just over 13 percent or 2,075 reports from April to June 2024.

Reports of break and enters have increased with Cranbrook RCMP receiving 38 reports of commercial break & enters (up from 18) and 15 residential break & enters (up from 6 last quarter). Theft of vehicles was also up this quarter (19 reported incidents compared to 7 last quarter) along with theft from vehicle reports (68 incidents compared to 24 last quarter).

In its report to Council at their regular meeting Monday night, Cranbrook RCMP noted that many thefts from vehicles involved unlocked cars and stressed the importance of securing vehicles and not leaving valuables inside. Community members are reminded to take simple yet effective precautions, such as locking doors and removing items like garage door remotes, to help reduce these types of incidents.

Meantime, the Cranbrook RCMP volunteer program relaunched in September 2024. With the assistance of the Community Engagement Coordinator and Cranbrook RCMP volunteers, the following reduction initiatives were conducted, including:

• Speed Watch – 1301 vehicles were checked at hot spot locations. Cranbrook RCMP utilizes data from Speed Watch to determine if traffic enforcement initiatives are required.
• Business Engagement – 40 businesses engaged as part of Project IRB (Industrial Road Businesses). Project IRB provides information on crime prevention strategies, placement of CCTV cameras and reporting incidents to police as well as offers Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments. Project IRB focuses on supporting the business community around Industrial Road, a recent hot spot for crime and other incidents. Business engagement will soon expand to other areas of the community.

“We are grateful for the support of our volunteers. Not only does the volunteer program increase visibility in the community, but they are also integral in the delivery of several RCMP crime reduction initiatives,” says S/Sgt. Barry Graham, Detachment Commander of the Cranbrook RCMP. “We look forward to expanding the number of initiatives we deliver as we recruit and train more volunteers.”