Good Day Block Watch Captains, Co-Captains & Participants,
West Vancouver Police have responded to 252 calls for service since our last update.
**Click Here For Updated Block Watch Crime Alerts At WestVanPolice.ca**
Theft
A series of Theft from Auto offences within a short period in upper slopes of Dundarave over the past weekend illustrated how quickly motivated offenders can target several victims. A total of nine reports were received. Suspects gained entry either through vehicles being unlocked, or side windows being smashed.
Whether you are parking at home or in commercial or shopping areas, we urge you not to leave items of value in an unattended vehicle, at home or while shopping, especially if items can be seen from outside the vehicle.
Holiday Season Travel
With the holiday season upon us, please take time ahead of any planned trips to ensure your property will be fully secured while you’re away. Along with last week’s reminders about alarm & surveillance systems, we encourage you to have a family member or trusted local friend check your property regularly and clear any delivery items.
If you have an alarm system, check before you go to confirm the system is working properly. Avoid leaving any gifts, wrapped or otherwise, where they can be seen through an exterior window.
If you rely on a web-based security camera or alarm system that delivers alerts to a smart phone or tablet, we urge you to remember your system will not be able to deliver an alert if your device is away from internet either on airplane mode or elsewhere.
We have had prior investigations in which a Break-in victim landed after long flight, immediately upon connecting to a Wi-Fi signal at their destination, the security camera app relayed intrusion alerts triggered hours earlier. Suspects were long gone by the time police were eventually contacted. Check ahead of time, whether a trusted friend or family member staying home for the holidays can monitor your system & alert police promptly in the event of an alarm.
Fraud
As much joy as the holiday season can bring, sadly, it brings little relief from attempted frauds. This week a resident was contacted by a suspect claiming to represent cellphone provider offering discounts. The resident declined the offer. The resident subsequently an unsolicited package containing cellphone, followed by a new call from the suspect claiming the phone sent in error & requested resident pay to ship phone to Calgary address. All requests of suspect were declined, and police were contacted.
18th Annual WV Emergency Services Gift Drive
Help us help the North Shore Family Services Christmas Bureau! From now through December 20th, 2023, we are accepting donations of new, unwrapped gifts for children & teens aged 18 or younger. Donations are delivered to the North Shore Christmas Bureau to help families facing financial challenges provide a happy holiday for their children.
Please note we cannot accept cash donations, used toys or stuffed animal toys. Donations are accepted at West Vancouver Police Headquarters/District Hall Atrium, 755 16th Street – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, all West Vancouver Fire & Rescue Halls, Hall #1 – 760 16th Street, Hall #2 – 6772 Marine Drive, Hall #3 – 4895 Marine Drive, Hall #4 – 965 Cross Creek Rd, or West Vancouver Transit – Headquarters – 221 Lloyd Avenue, North Vancouver(Monday to Friday 8a-5p)
If you see any 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 between our weekly updates click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts.
Jeff Palmer
Block Watch & Operational Support Coordinator
t: 604-925-7363
