Winter has started, but criminals don’t take a day off. Crime can happen anywhere, in any season. By taking a few simple steps on our own or through community involvement, we can reduce crime in our communities. Below are some tips that you can take to help prevent criminal activities.
Quick Tips
1. Light up your home and alley. Poorly lit areas attract negative behaviour. One caveat though: please direct lights down, so that your neighbours don’t have the lights shining into their (bedroom) windows.
2. Get to know your neighbours (ensuring that they have your contact information) and let them know when you are away. When neighbours know your schedule, any suspicious activity will be quickly recognized.
3. When away from home, manage your home lighting through timers, have mail and packages picked up, and arrange to have your sidewalk and driveway shovelled. A home is more of a target when it looks unoccupied.
4. Cut back bushes to reduce unwanted shrubbery that can be used to cover up criminal activity.
5. Lock doors and windows and keep valuables such as bikes inside (and locked). Criminals look for the path of least resistance and easy targets.
6. Clean up your yard and neighbourhood. Remove trash, and report graffiti and garbage cleanup requirements to the city. Remember to tidy up your alley too! A well cared-for community deters criminal activity.
7. Know whom to call to help stop, reduce, and deter crime. See below for contact numbers.
Who to Call
Call 9-1-1
For medical emergencies, if you see a fire, smell smoke or gas, see a crime in progress, or for emergencies related to health, safety, or property you need to get help immediately. Crimes in progress include impaired driving, assault, domestic violence, painting graffiti, or any crime that is happening now. For these situations or if you are concerned for someone’s safety or well-being call 9-1-1.
Call Police Non-Emergency Line (403-266-1234)
For police concerns of a non-urgent nature such as a minor accidents, general noise complaints, or to report incidents that have previously occurred including stolen or damaged property, call the police non-emergency line.
Call 403-537-7000 (option 3)
Illegally parked cars (including cars that are parked outside of allotted signage time).
Call hours: Monday: 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. Tuesday to Friday: 6:00 am to 2:30 am. Saturday: 9:00 am to 2:30 am. Sunday: 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. For calls after hours, please contact Calgary Police Services non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.
Call Alpha House HELP Team – Formally DOAP Team (403-998-7388)
If you witness a non-threatening individual apparently under the influence of drugs or alcohol and in need of support, contact Alpha House. Email: [email protected].
Alpha House Needle Response Team (403-796-5334)
If you discover needles or drug paraphernalia in need of cleanup, contact Alpha House. Email: [email protected].
Alpha House Encampment Team (403-805-7388)
If you discover an encampment (tents or sleeping area) in the community, contact Alpha House. Email: [email protected].
City Services (3-1-1)
To ask for city information or to request a non-emergency service such as the removal of graffiti, bylaw related issues, potholes, or issues with snow removal etc., contact 3-1-1. Access 3-1-1 Mobile App: https://www.calgary.ca/311.html.
Community Information and Referral System (2-1-1)
For information about community or social resources available in Calgary, contact 2-1-1. Text “INFO” to 2-1-1.
HealthLink (8-1-1)
For health advice and health information services, contact 8-1-1.
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