A map of where a rash of break and enters occurred in Prince George from July 17 to July 30 – map courtesy RCMP

Prince George, B.C. – Break and enters are up 20 per cent in Prince George between Jan. 1 and Aug. 4 of this year compared to last.

That from the Prince George RCMP. Here’s the breakdown:

• Business break and enters are up 30 per cent (161 to 209).
• Residential break and enters are up 7 per cent (180-192).
• Break and enters to sheds and other non-residential and non-business properties are up 32 per cent (64 to 85).

Cpl. Craig Douglass says police are most concerned about a “recent cluster” of break-ins to homes and sheds in the core of the city.

“During the two-week period from July 17 to July 30, the area bounded by Ospika Boulevard in the West, the Nechako River to the North, the Fraser River to the East and Highway 97 to the South experienced 19 break and enters,” he says.“This area includes the Crescents, the VLA and Spruceland. In some of these cases suspects are simply walking into unlocked homes.”

Douglass says the spike in crime has occurred despite specific and targeted enforcement of the most serious prolific offenders in the community.

He says property owners can help their own cause by purchasing quality video surveillance and by taking the following steps:

• Record serial numbers or engrave your driver’s licence number on valuables;
• Take pictures of property and store the files on a disk;
• Report suspicious activity at all hours of the day;
• Get to know your neighbours and keep an eye on their property;
• Use security systems, cameras and other deterrents;
• Keep your doors locked, even if you are in the back yard;
• Lock your sheds and out building and secure property that you store inside;
• Close and lock your windows each time you leave your home, even in hot weather;
• Register your bicycles on the ‘529 Garage’ on-line program;
• Lock your vehicle doors and use an anti-theft device;
• When possible, do not leave valuables in your vehicle. If you must, leave them out of sight;
• Never leave your wallet, purse, identification or keys in a vehicle.

If you have any information about any of these crimes, you are asked to call police at 250-561-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.