Now that spring has arrived and the weather is starting to warm up, the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is encouraging the public to take appropriate theft prevention measures for their homes, garages, sheds, and businesses.
During the April meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners, recent crime data showed there were 86 break-ins in Moose Jaw between Jan. 1 and March 31, compared to 59 incidents during the same period in 2023. This marks a jump of 15.3 per cent.
Break-and-enter incidents are typically an act of opportunity, the MJPS advises, and the best approach is for the public to exercise due diligence when it comes to locking up their property and keeping valuables out of clear view.
The MJPS is recommending that residents document their high-value belongings within their homes, sheds, garages, and at business locations to make ongoing investigations easier to navigate. This is also the best way to ensure a stolen item is returned to its rightful owner.
The process entails taking a photograph and recording the serial number of each item, and big-ticket items which are more prone to theft -- such as bikes and tools -- should be documented at the very least.
A weak or damaged garage or shed door is a prime target for opportunistic thieves and may lead to an attempted break-and-enter. To discourage thieves, it's important to assess the condition of your property and promptly repair or replace any damaged access points.
It is also important to confirm that all doors are securely locked at all times.
The MJPS is also recommending the installation of a cloud-based security system and motion sensors if you have the means to do so. These systems can help deter thieves, and images and video footage provides an invaluable asset during a theft investigation.
The MJPS would like to thank the public for taking part in crime prevention efforts.
If your home, garage, shed, or business has been broken into, police are reminding the public that it's always best practice to report these incidents immediately.
The MJPS can be reached on its non-emergency line at 306-694-7600 and residents can also file a report online at MJPolice.ca/report.
