Red Deer – Red Deer RCMP have partnered with Alberta Motor Association (AMA) to create and distribute “All Valuables Removed” placards that the public can place in their vehicles to deter thefts. The push to distribute the placards is timely, as crimes of opportunity often spike during the holiday season when thieves see gifts and shopping bags left in vehicles.
Placards are available year-round at AMA, and Red Deer RCMP have distributed more placards at the following locations to make pick up even more convenient over the holiday season:
· Bower Place Customer Service – Gaetz Avenue
· Save-on Foods Customer Service – 3020 22 Street
· Collicutt Centre Customer Service – 3031 30 Avenue
· Walmart Customer Service – 2010 50 Avenue
· Superstore Customer Service – 5016 51 Avenue
· Parkland Mall Customer Service – 67 Street and Gaetz Avenue
· Alberta Motor Association – #141, 2004 50 Avenue (Southpointe Common)
“The placards serve two purposes – first, they tell thieves that the vehicle owner has taken the time to protect their belongings, and so the thief will be wasting their time and energy on this vehicle,” says Constable Lindsay Colven of the Red Deer RCMP. “Second, the placards serve as a useful reminder to people to actually remove valuables and place tempting items out of sight each time they leave their vehicle.”
Items commonly stolen from vehicles include purses and wallets, laptops, shopping bags, CDs, stereos, MP3 players and iPods, cell phones and personal documents.
Protect yourself while shopping:
· Store your purchases in the trunk or out of sight
· If you plan to continue shopping after storing bags in your trunk, move your vehicle so thieves watching for opportunities will think you’ve left
· Place an “All Valuables Removed” placard on your dash or in the drivers’ window
· Lock your vehicle
· Do not leave purses, wallets, cell phones or papers with personal information on them in your vehicle
· Do not leave spare keys in your vehicle
Check out the fun public education piece created by AMA here: ama.ab.ca/2014/12/08/avoid- the-christmas-pinch/