Weekly Block Watch Crime Prevention Tips from West Vancouver Police
Good Day Block Watch Captains, Co-Captains & Participants,
West Vancouver Police have responded to 226 calls for service since our last update.
Click Here For Updated Crime Alerts At WestVanPolice.ca
Fraud
After our update last week including multiple Grandparent/Fake Bail Scam reports, we have Fraud success stories this week supporting the notion that staying informed and alert is your best protection.
A resident in the Folkstone Area received a call from a suspect advising their grandson had been arrested and needed cash for bail & lawyer’s fees. The scam was immediately recognized, the resident ended the call with no loss and reported the circumstance for information only.
A version of another long running scam was attempted. A resident received a call claiming they had won a major US magazine sponsored lottery prize. The caller immediately began seeking detailed banking information from the resident, who correctly recognized the scam, hung up and incurred no financial loss. Knowledge is always your best defence.
Please review all Fraud types with all members of your family, particularly with any elderly family members or others who may be especially vulnerable. The link button below connects you with comprehensive information on known fraud types.
If you are fortunate to recognize a scam in time to avoid financial loss, you are still encouraged to Make An Online Report To The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Online or call 1-888-495-8501. Your report helps stop scams.
Click Here For More Information On Known Fraud Types
If you did lose money, you can make a non-emergency report to West Vancouver Police at 604-925-7300.
Residential Break-ins
Having no active alarm played a role in Break & Enter offences reported this week. Residents of a home in the Westcot School area returned from several days away to discover a window smashed on an upper-level rear balcony. Thieves targeted designer handbags & jewelry.
Meantime, a break-in was reported at a seasonal cabin on Cypress Mountain, with food, clothing & outdoor equipment stolen. Precise time of the offence is unknown.
Theft
Valuables left in unattended vehicles were irresistible bait for thieves again this week. A vehicle parked in an Irwin Park area residential driveway had a personal bag & contents stolen. A wallet, cash and I-D was stolen from a vehicle parked on the street in the Ambleside Business District. Rear passenger windows were smashed to break into both vehicles.
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
West Vancouver Police
t: 604-925-7363
