(file photo/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Police see uptick in property crime calls

Aug 27, 2021 | 4:21 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- It’s been a busy few months for the Medicine Hat Police Service as officers respond to an uptick in calls.

Inspector Brent Secondiak said police are seeing an increase in property crime calls. Those alone have risen 84 per cent compared to May. Secondiak said property crime can take many forms including theft, theft from vehicle, theft of vehicle, and frauds relating to theft.

To handle the rise in property crime, the Medicine Hat Police Service has implemented a targeted enforcement strategy to address areas of the city with higher rates of crime.

Secondiak said it’s not unusual to see a rise in crime in the summer months given the warmer weather and more people outside. But Secondiak said there are ways to protect yourself from being victimized by theft.

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“Property theft is typically unlocked sheds or unlocked sheds or garages. So criminals will go to 50, 60 vehicles at night and only go for ones that are unlocked, and they will take identity documents or credit cards or valuables and that is where we are seeing an increase in fraud. So they are using credit cards that are found in vehicles and using them to commit frauds throughout the city, typically buying items until the card is maxed out,” Secondiak said.

Secondiak recommends keeping valuables locked and secured to prevent thieves from gaining access.