Chilliwack RCMP urge residents to secure homes due to increase in residential break and enters this month

CHILLIWACK – Police in Chilliwack say they’ve identified a spike in residential break and enters in Chilliwack stemming from unlocked doors, windows and vehicles during the first two weeks of May.

Corporal Carmen Kiener says RCMP crime analysts identified 15 residential break and enters in Chilliwack between Sunday, May 3 and Saturday, May 16. Of these 15 incidents, four involved forced entries, meaning roughly 73 per cent of the burglaries arose due to unsecured properties or other preventable circumstances, Cpl. Kiener said.

She says RCMP analysts regularly monitor crime data to support police operations.

“Their work helps officers identify emerging crime patterns, identify crime hot spots, and track repeat offenders, so police can focus on prevention and enforcement efforts,” Cpl. Kiener said.

She says officers continue proactive patrols in identified hot spots and work to identify and target those responsible. Significant efforts are ongoing to both prevent these offences and hold offenders accountable.

“Many of these incidents could have been prevented by taking simple steps to secure homes and vehicles,” said Cpl. Kiener. “Residents play an important role in helping reduce crime in our communities.”

Police encourage residents to:

• Lock all doors and windows, even when at home
• Lock vehicles, regardless of where they are parked
• Secure garage doors and garage door openers
• Remove valuables from plain view
• Ensure exterior lighting is functioning properly

She encourages residents who plan to be away for extended periods of time to consider arranging for mail pickup, using timers on lights, and asking trusted neighbours to monitor their property.

As always, police urge residents to report suspicious activity immediately at 604-792-4611. This includes unfamiliar vehicles slowly driving through neighbourhoods, individuals checking door handles, or unusual late-night activity around homes.