Calgary police post warnings about crime groups staging break-and-enters

Police are posting signs warning about crime groups breaking into homes in different communities across the city.

Calgary police are warning people about travelling crime groups that are targetting neighbourhoods across the country — including some in Calgary.

Police have posted sandwich boards in certain communities that warn people to make sure doors and windows are locked, and encourage the use of security systems and lights.

They said spreading the message by sandwich board is because their social media postings are having less impact than they used to.

Police say 43 break-ins since the beginning of the year share consistencies. Those include accessing homes through back yards between six and eight p.m. and focusing on small, high-value items like jewelry and cash.

Three vehicles have been identified as linked to these incidents — a Ford Escape, a Toyota Rav4 and a Toyota Highlander.

Police say they want to hear from the public but the signs are helping all on their own.

“When we’ve been putting some of these signs up in the area, we’ve seen a reduction in the number of break-and-enters and car prowlings that are happening in that area, said Sup. Keith Hurley.

“I’d like to think that there’s a correlation between what’s happening there — so not to create white noise too with the signs, we’ve been rotating them through communities, because this isn’t specific to one community, it happens in every community.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.