West Vancouver Police have responded to 185 calls for service since our March 12th update.
For updated crime alerts anytime click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts
Residential Break-in – British Properties
An upsetting return from travel for residents of a Ballantree Park area home. A caretaker attending the home discovered a window in the primary bedroom had been smashed, and the bedroom thoroughly rummaged through. Jewelry, currency & other items were stolen. No alarm was triggered. An active investigation is ongoing.
Spring Break
We are heading into the 2nd week of School Spring Breaks. If you are staying local, bear in mind, Spring Break can often include increased reports of youths gathering & disturbance related behaviours. Please don’t hesitate to call police if you note any suspicious activity or persons in your neighbourhood. If your remaining break includes travel, please double check home security before leaving.
Confirm your alarm is properly set. Consider having family or a friend check your home while you’re away and clear any mail or delivery items. If you rely on a web-based alarm or camera system that sends alerts to your smart phone or tablet, bear in mind, you will not receive alerts if you are aboard a plane, ship or anywhere without internet connectivity so you may wish to have a local family member or friend monitor your alerts while you are away.
March is Fraud Prevention Month
West Vancouver Police and Block Watch join policing partners across the country this month in a campaign urging all to understand & prevent Fraud. Fraud offences are persistent and frequently target vulnerable & Elderly persons. You are encouraged to share any Fraud Prevention information we bring you through Block Watch with your family & personal network.
Canada Revenue Agency Scams
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Scams often surge as the annual income tax filing deadline approaches. CRA scams can vary but have some common red flags to watch for. CRA scams can target prospective victims with messages delivered by phone, email, text message, or sometimes even by regular mail.
The script can vary but suspects will typically advise intended victims they owe money and must take immediate action to resolve the matter, or face prompt arrest or prison. Simply put, Canada Revenue Agency will not contact you in this manner. We encourage you to familiarize yourself, and any elderly or otherwise vulnerable persons you help to support & care for with some important basics to help recognize a CRA Scam is in progress.
Please understand the CRA WILL NOT:
- Demand immediate payment by Interac e-transfer, Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), Prepaid credit cards, or retail gift cards,
- Ask for a fee to speak with a contact centre agent,
- Use aggressive language or threaten you with arrest, sending the police or prison,
- Leave voicemails that are threatening or give personal or financial information,
- Give or ask for personal or financial information by email or ask you to click on a link,
- Email you a link that demands you fill in an online form with personal or financial details,
- Send you an email with a link to your refund,
- Set up a meeting with you in a public place to take a payment,
If you are in doubt, ask yourself:
- Why is a person contacting me and pressuring me to act immediately? Am I certain they are a CRA employee?
- Have I received any prior mailed notice from the CRA about the subject of the communication?
- Is the caller asking for information I would not give in my tax return or that is not related to any money I owe the CRA?
Click Here For The Latest Scam Alerts from the Canada Revenue Agency.
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
