Crime Prevention Tools

Knowledge is your first line of defence. This section brings together practical, proven tools and resources to help Red Deer residents protect themselves, their homes, and their community. From recognizing the warning signs of fraud and securing your home against break-ins, to understanding how graffiti impacts your neighbourhood and staying safe online, these resources are designed to be easy to understand and act on. Whether you’re a long-time homeowner or a new resident, there’s something here to help you feel more confident and prepared.

Graffiti

Graffiti signals neglect, which can attract further crime and make residents feel unsafe. The CACPC runs a Graffiti Abatement program to help residents and property owners respond quickly, because rapid removal sends a clear message that the community is watching. The CACPC also administers a Vandalism Recovery Grant to help eligible property owners offset the cost of cleanup.

If graffiti is on private property, it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove it. To report graffiti to the graffiti database visit: https://www.reddeer.ca/reportaproblem/categories/graffiti

Fraud

Fraud and scams are among the fastest-growing crimes in Canada, and they don’t discriminate. Anyone can be targeted regardless of age, income, or education. From phone scams and phishing emails to investment fraud and identity theft, criminals are constantly finding new ways to deceive. The Canada Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is the national hub for fraud reporting and education, and their Little Black Book of Scams is an invaluable plain-language guide to the most common tactics being used today. Staying informed is your strongest protection and knowing what a scam looks like, makes it far harder to fall for one.

Safety Kits

What’s included in the safety kit

Home Security

Most break ins occur between 10AM-3PM

Using principles from Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), there are many simple steps homeowners and renters can take to make their property less appealing to intruders — from improving lighting to trimming shrubs that create hiding spots. The City of Red Deer also offers a practical home security checklist to help you identify vulnerabilities before someone else does.

2% Second floor window
22% Back door
34% Front door
9% Garage
23% first floor open window
Security feature Homes without 3x more likely to be broken into
Maintain clear sightlines
Well lit
Store loose items
Remove newspapers+garbage bins
Maintain property

reddeercapture.ca
To securely register your camera(s)

CAPTURE is a voluntary camera registry that records the locations of security cameras in Red Deer. The purpose of CAPTURE is to build a registry of private security locations to assist police investigations. Often, security cameras capture evidence that can be used to solve a crime. If an incident happens, Red Deer RCMP can view a list of camera locations, and contact the registered camera owners.

By providing the Red Deer RCMP with the location of your security cameras, you could be helping to shorten the time required for investigations by providing key information. This can help to ensure the individual(s) responsible for a crime are held responsible.

Vehicle Safety

Protect Your Vehicle

Vehicle theft and theft from vehicles are some of the most prominent types of crime in Red Deer.

Keep insurance and registration documents in a secure location
Know your VIN & Licence Plate Numbers
Take recent photos
Lock doors
Remove valuables from vehicle
Do not leave the vehicle running

Vehicle Emergency Kit

Tips on what to include to prepare you and your family for an emergency!

Basic Item:

Water
Blanket
Candle in a deep can, matches
Extra clothing/shoes
Seatbelt cutter
First Aid Kit
Flashlight (battery-powered or crank)
Food that will not spoil (such as energy bars)
List of contact numbers
Radio (battery-powered or crank)
Small shovel, scraper, and snowbrush
Warning light or road flares
Whistle

Additional Items: antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, fire extinguisher, road maps, sand, salt, or cat litter (non-clumping), tow rope and jumper cables, copy of your emergency plan and personal documents

For more information about emergency preparedness, visit:

www.alberta.ca/emergencies-public-safety.aspx

Social Media Security

Social media makes it easy to stay connected, but oversharing online can make you a target. Posting vacation photos in real time, sharing your home address, or publicizing your daily routine gives criminals valuable information about when you and your home might be vulnerable. Review your privacy settings regularly to control who can see your posts, be cautious about accepting friend or follow requests from people you don’t know, and think twice before posting anything that reveals your location or absence from home. A little awareness goes a long way toward keeping your online presence from becoming an open invitation.