Surrey RCMP has noticed a recent increase in residential break and enters (B&Es), some as a direct result of garage door openers left in vehicles in Surrey.
The City of Surrey experienced a 17% drop in property crime and 12% drop in residential B&E’s during the first quarter of 2016. However, a recent rise in residential B&Es in Surrey has caught the attention of property crime investigators and crime analysts.
Between April and June of this year, there have been 37 B&Es in the city where the suspect gained entry to a garage using a garage door opener that was taken from a vehicle.
In April and May, B&Es with garage door openers accounted for 4% and 3% of all B&Es that month, respectively. So far in June, B&Es with garage door openers have accounted for 11% of all B&Es.
Taking steps to help reduce property crime is everyone’s responsibility, says Corporal Scotty Schumann. It only takes a thief a few moments to get into your car, find the garage door opener, and then have access to your home. Take the time to remove all valuables from plain sight in your vehicle including garage door openers.
Surrey RCMP’s Property Crime Target Team (PCTT) is working closely with crime analysts to identify suspects and areas where similar crimes might occur. This helps police plan and target their uniformed and plainclothes enforcement activities.
The PCTT is also actively identifying, tracking, and arresting chronic offenders who are responsible for committing a large percentage of these crimes.
