Good Day Block Watch Captains, Co-Captains & Participants,
West Vancouver Police have responded to 313 calls for service since our June 19th update.
For updated crime alerts anytime click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts
Park, Trailhead & Public Parking Areas – Thefts from Auto
The return of a sadly familiar seasonal risk dominates our Crime Alerts this week. As the weather improves, and more of us head for parks & trails, we urge you to be aware that thieves can & will target vehicles parked in popular recreation areas.
Vehicles were targeted for thefts in park & trailhead parking areas across West Vancouver this past week. Eighteen vehicles parked in a pullout area on Horseshoe Bay Drive(Old Highway #99 at Horseshoe Bay), were found with windows smashed and contents rummaged through.
Following within two days from that, vehicles were targeted in parking areas at Whyte Lake Trailhead on Westport Road by Highway #1, in Cypress Falls Park, Lighthouse Park, Sandy Cove Beach and at the Trestle Bridge Parking area on Cypress Bowl Road.
Most offences involved passenger windows being smashed, and many with backpacks, wallets, ID, and bank cards stolen from inside. Unfortunately, some were further victimized when bank cards were used later for fraudulent transactions.
Whether you are parking your vehicle at home, or in a public space, please avoid leaving valuables in any unattended vehicle, locked or not. Valuables, especially if visible from outside your vehicle are an easy target for thieves. A locked door means only that a thief will have to quickly smash through a side window. In public areas like parks & trailhead parking, thieves have been known to watch people as they arrive and then place valuables like wallets and other possessions into a back seat before leaving for a hike or other recreational activities. We urge you to leave valuables at home or plan to take you backpack, ID, bankcards, or any other valuables with you when leaving your vehicle.
Anytime 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. For updated crime alerts anytime click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts.
Jeff Palmer
Block Watch & Operational Support Coordinator
West Vancouver Police
t: 604-925-7300
