Central Saanich Police responded to a home in the Stelly’s Cross Road neighbourhood after a resident reported waking up in the middle of the night after his garage door was opened by an unknown person.    No access was gained to the interior of the house, however,  it was possibly the intent of the burglar.

Police are advising that is not just through windows or back doors that criminals will try and gain entry to your home.   Sometimes they will access your home through the ease of  opening your garage door.   An unsuspecting home owner may leave a garage door opener  inside their car and have it stolen (along with your insurance papers with your home address).  In possession of your garage door remote, burglars can come to your home and have easy access to your garage.Occasionally, through software and sophisticated electronic devices, burglars can determine the radio frequency of your garage door opener and access your garage and potentially your home.     

This type of Break and Enter is relatively uncommon in Central Saanich and there are ways we can work together to prevent it.  Here are some tips:

• Lock your interior entry garage door with a 2’ deadbolt.
• Take your garage door opener out of your vehicle when it is parked.
• If you go away on vacation – disable your garage door opener so it cannot be opened electronically.
• If you have bought a new garage door opener, be sure to change the code immediately to reduce access by burglars.   This also applies to the external keypad.
• If your car has been broken into – look and see if your garage door opener is also missing.
• Join Block Watch and get to know your neighbours.   By joining Block Watch you bring your neighbourhood together to look out for one another.

Central Saanich Police Service is reminding the public to report any suspicious activity to police.

At approximately 2:40am  police responded to an alarm at a business in the 7000 block of West Saanich Road.     Upon arrival officers located evidence of a break and enter attempt, however, the break-in was not successful and burglars had not gained access to the business.    Central Saanich Police Service also investigated a similar incident to a business on Keating Cross Road that occurred last month, however, the culprits had entered the business on Keating Cross Road.  

Central Saanich Police Service is reminding the public to report any suspicious activity or suspicious sounds, especially in the early hours when business break- ins are at a greater risk.

After hours suspicious activity in a business district can include slow driving vehicles, sensor lights turning on, people peering into windows or looking out for police (“standing six”). Suspicious sounds can include low, muffled voices or sounds of forced entry (breaking glass,  breaking wood or prying metal).     Please report any audible alarms that you hear.   

If you are a business owner and would like information on how to prevent crime  please contact the Central Saanich Police Service Community Services Section at 250.652.4441       

]]> http://brentwoodcommunitypolice.com/?feed=rss2&p=659 0 http://brentwoodcommunitypolice.com/?p=643 http://brentwoodcommunitypolice.com/?p=643#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:30:17 +0000 admin http://brentwoodcommunitypolice.com/?p=643  

Spring has sprung and many of us are thinking about planting flowers, fertilizing the lawn or just spending long awaited time outside in the yard.      Unfortunately, this weather often makes crooks think of new opportunities to get into your home and steal your valuables.       When the weather becomes warmer the Green Thumb Burglar comes out of hibernation!

How does the Green Thumb Burglar operate?   When the weather is warmer, residents tend to leave  windows and doors open for variety of reasons.   This is often when we are working in the garden or just outside enjoying some long awaited sunshine.        The Green Thumb Burglar  is not breaking down your door or forcing your  windows.   This crook  simply enters your home through unlocked doors or windows while you are outside.     The Green Thumb Burglar is an opportunist and will watch for people tending to their garden and he will  quietly  slip into their  home and quickly make off with  wallets, jewelry or other valuables

 Please enjoy the sunshine but don’t give any “window” of opportunity to this  burglar.

 Report all suspicious activity to police.

Police received a 911 call from a home in the 6800 Block of East Saanich Road shortly before 10pm on April 10, 2012.    The caller reported a  home invasion  had just occurred and the suspects had fled in a pickup truck.      Police units arrived at the residence shortly after and  located four victims unharmed in the home.       Police believe this incident was a targeted crime linked to illegal activity.

It appears that in the course of the incident three males entered the house brandishing weapons and  threatened  the occupants.  One  occupant of the house was struck  but not hurt.    The suspects stole   undisclosed items prior to leaving the residence.   

Suspect’s  description as follows:

Suspect #1:

• Caucasian Male, tall and slim build
• 19 years
• Shaggy Brown hair and no facial hair
• Wearing baseball cap, white gloves, dark jeans and black DC running shoes

    Suspect #2:

• Caucasian Male, 5’7” slim build and slim face
• 25 years

    Suspect #3:

• Caucasian Male,  5’7” heavy build ( 180-190lbs)
• 25 years
• Short dark  hair
• Wearing gray sweat pants and Nike running shoes

The suspects fled in a vehicle described as follows:

• 2011/2012 Black Ford F150 Extended Cab Pickup with black canopy.  Low profile tires on black rims.  

Central Saanich Police Service Detectives and RCMP Forensic Investigation Section are actively investigating this crime.

Central  Saanich Police Service  has set up a dedicated TIP LINE at #778-679-1768 for any information on this crime.   Confidential tips can also be reported through Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at  1.800.222.TIPS (8477)

Central Saanich Police Service is warning our E-Alert Community of an evolving  credit card scam.  The scam starts when someone calls your house claiming to be  “Security”  or a  “Fraud investigator”  with a major credit card company.   These scammers will already have your name, address  and credit card information when they make the call and they  can be very convincing.      This con artist  will then tell you that fraudulent charges have been made on your card and that you are required to provide them your three digit Card Security Code ( CVV2) on the back of your credit card to verify you are the card owner.   The “Security Investigator”  will tell you he needs this information  to reverse the charges.     DO NOT GIVE THEM THIS CODE!

If you do give them your CODE,  these scam artists will fraudulently purchase numerous goods with your credit card.

Please, if you receive this call, do not provide any information about your credit card or any personal information.  Contact your bank and your credit card company and advise them that you received this phone call.

Note – MasterCard and Visa have a three digit security code on the back of the card.   American Express

EB, one of our new  volunteers at the Brentwood Bay Community Office,  has researched the importance of protecting the ” secret” code we all have on our credit cards.  She has noted several important steps in protecting yourself from Credit Card Fraud and sourced her research and provided additional websites to learn more.  If you are near the Community Office on Sundays from 1-4pm you will usually find EB available for more information and tips on preventing crime.  Please drop by sometime and visit with her.    

The Three Digits Criminals Want!

Its technical name is the Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2), or Card Security Code. You will find it on all MasterCard and Visa cards beside the signature panel on the back of the card, or if you possess an American Express credit card, your four-digit number is on the front of the card.

 The following will assist in protecting your three digit number from fraud.

1. What is the use of this three digit number?
2. Why does it need to be protected?
3. How can you avoid being a victim of fraud?

The three digit number is a fraud-prevention measure used by telephone, mail, and online (Internet) merchants to verify that a customer has a legitimate credit card when making a purchase. As such, it is extremely important to protect that number because it is the only thing that stands between you and a fraudster! Indeed all a criminal needs is the three digit number to validate a credit card and make an illegal purchase – at your expense. How can you avoid becoming a victim of fraud?

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:

1. If you didn’t make the call, never give out any personal information or data over the phone.
2. If you’re concerned that you may already have been victimized by fraud, hang up and call your financial institution or credit card company.
3. Similarly, never give out any personal data in response to an e-mail — that’s how “phishing” works. If you get an urgent and official looking e-mail from your bank or credit card company or some other well-known business requesting “additional” information or account verification information, DO NOT RESPOND!
4. Always report fraud. Criminal operations only get shut down when authorities have enough information to stop them.

So, the three digits criminals want is the security number on your credit card (four digits for American Express holders, on the front) to make an illegal purchase on with your credit card. Protect your three digit number, and you will avoid becoming a victim of fraud by following the four steps above.

Thus we can learn to recognize fraud, report fraud, and participate in stopping fraud.

By U. (Eb) Volunteer
Brentwood Bay Community Police

Central Saanich Police

Sources:

• http://www.phonebusters.com
• http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/home-eng.html

Additional resources on payment card fraud prevention:

Visit the RCMP’s “Scams and Fraud” webpage:   http/www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/index-eng.htm

Consult the websites of your credit card company, your financial institution or the Canadian Bankers Association

Farid is one of our Brentwood Community Office volunteers and he knows a few things about today’s tech devices.   The following is some of his research into ways to increase children’s safety while they are using mobile devices.    Farid can usually be found at the Community Police Office on Saturdays from 10-1pm – feel free to stop by and chat.      

Children, Teens and Mobile Use

Today, in our techno society, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements and can be easily influenced by them when it comes to new improved technology, gadgets or software applications (Apps). This has changed the way we communicate with each other. Having said that, technology can also be a double edge sword and it can work against us if we do not pay attention to how we are utilizing the technologies, gadgets and Apps. We could inadvertently be inviting the bad guys in to prey on us and giving them the opportunity to scam us.

So what can we do to ensure we are being smart about the information we are sharing? Here are some safety tips that you may want to follow and especially share these with your children:

• Make sure the phone has a strong password and activate other security features before your child uses it.
• Remind your child to think before they text. Messages can be misinterpreted and also forwarded.
• Their mobile number should only be given out to people they know. Likewise, they should know not to share anyone else’s number without permission.
• Tell your child to ignore messages from people they don’t recognize.
• Be firm about the risks of meeting face-to-face with someone they met through text messaging. Ask that they tell you if they’re going to do this, and also where they plan to meet.
• Make sure your child has someone’s permission before taking pictures or videos of them with their phone and vice versa.
• Learn how to turn off geotagging on your child’s phone so that photos don’t reveal their location.
• Make sure you know how to block others from calling your child’s phone. Using caller ID, you can block all incoming calls or block individual names and numbers.

KNOW THE RISKS – PROTECT YOURSELF – PROTECT YOUR DEVICES

THINK LIKE A BAD GUY AND SAFE GUARD VULNERBILITY

Reference http://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/py/pyf-cmo-eng.aspx

Ronnie, one of our Brentwood Bay Community Police Office Volunteers,  has researched an upcoming topic:  How Daylight Savings Time change can cause driver fatigue .  Ronnie’s research has come from the ICBC website.  For more information on this topic or other Traffic Safety issues please visit their website at   www.icbc.com  or  click here    Thank you for your submission Ronnie.  

Plan ahead for Daylight Savings Time.

It is that time of the year again when we all “Spring ahead” into action  and we lose  an hour of sleep.   It happens in the middle of a spring night once a year and can affect us for several days. It’s the return of Daylight Savings Time (DST), when the clock is moved one hour forward, which happens at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, March 11 for all British Colombians.

This ritual can cause disruptions in normal sleep patterns for children and adults. However, there are steps we can take to minimize the sleep loss and enjoy the benefits of healthy sleep and productive days. As we get ready to turn our clocks forward  on March 11th, 2012,  ICBC is reminding everyone to take extra care as the time change can affect us all in different ways.

“Studies show that the switch into Daylight Savings Time can have a dramatic effect on disrupting our regular sleep cycle,” said Dr. John Vavrik, a psychologist with ICBC.  “The transition into Daylight Savings Time puts us out of sync with our circadian rhythm and this can pose some unique dangers on our roads. The biggest impacts can be felt on some of the key skills that affect the quality of our driving – poorer concentration, alertness behind the wheel and reaction time to potential hazards. The real danger is that people believe if they don’t feel tired, then they aren’t fatigued,” said Vavrik. “However, while you may feel fine, your circadian rhythm can still be significantly disrupted which can affect your alertness while driving.”

“Fatigue is a serious impairment – its real risk is that we don’t often realize how much it affects us when we drive,” said Dr.Vavrik. “Fatigue can be especially dangerous when combined with other distractions behind the wheel. You really need to limit any potential distractions at this time more than ever.”

 Remember to use caution and leave extra time to get to your destinations – particularly during the Monday commute. Crash statistics illustrate a higher driving risk the first work day after Daylight Saving begins    In British Columbia,  according to the five-year average (2005-2009), on the Monday following the springtime change, there were 850 crash incidents, compared to 690 incidents the Monday before the time change, which represents a 23 per cent increase in crash incidents

Here are ICBC’s top five smart driving tips for Daylight Saving Time:

1. Get some rest: Try to get to bed earlier – and to help yourself to fall asleep faster –exercise during the day, have a hot bath or shower before going to bed and treat yourself to a book and a warm glass of milk.
2. Plan ahead : Give yourself extra time to drive to and from work next week.
3. Slow down:  Keep your distance, especially with more pedestrians and cyclists on the road.
4. Lights on: Continue to use your headlights at all times to ensure you are visible to pedestrians and other road users. Make sure your headlights are clean (splattered mud can cloud them) and that all bulbs (both high and low beam) are working properly.
5. Be a role model : Set an example by making smart driving decisions – whether it’s to your children, passengers or other road users. Your smart decisions can have a significant influence on others. Be a good road  example.  Stay fastened on to your car seat belts – stay within the road Speed Limit – Stay alert – stay focus -  stay courteous to other drivers.

Cpl. Pat Bryant, the Central Saanich Police Youth Resource Officer, is a veteran police officer with nearly 24 years of police experience.   This is his first installment of his new ” Youth Resource Officer” blog.

Teen Depression is a serious matter in our Community, one that we must not over look. Understanding what Teen Depression is and what to look for is our first step in helping our Youth.  Depression can lead our Teens to suicide or attempting suicide. Communication with our Teens is an important part of a successful and healthy relationship.

Teenage depression is an unbiased disease that affects about 20 per cent of all teens regardless of gender, social background, family income level, and race. Teenage depression is not limited to or affected by geographic locations or schools.  It is known that girls tend to be affected more by depression than boys but it is also known that boys are less likely to seek help or even admit to depression. Girls are taught to be more open and discuss their problems where boys are still taught from an early age to deal with things themselves.

Feeling sad and depressed is a normal part of life’s ups and downs. However, these prolonged feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, and feeling sad most of the time is not a normal day to day reaction to the ebb and flow of life.

Teen depression may include, but not limited to, the following:

• Irrational anger and irritability that is often just put down as a child having a rebellious nature or wanting to prove themselves
• Unexplained aches and pains that fail to respond to treatments
• Extreme sensitivity to criticism, often considered as being too moody or cranky, and in the case of over achievers, this is especially prominent
• Withdrawal from friends and social gatherings or in some cases switching to social groups that are contrary to what they would normally choose

Effects:

• If teenage depression is allowed to go to long without being treated it can lead to some very unhealthy and possibly even disastrous effects.  Some of these may include:
• Attempts or threats of running away which are often cries for help or intervention in a world they don’t understand.
• Drug and alcohol abuse -this is often an attempt at self medication but all too often just complicates the depression.
• Eating disorders – such disorders as anorexia or bulimia are often a major side affect of teenage depression when teens try new ways to fit in.
• Addiction to computers and the internet is a more modern effect when teens try to reach out to belong but actually increase their isolation from the real world.
• Cutting or burning when used as self injury may also be a cry for attention.
• Reckless behavior or violent behavior can have a deep effect on not only the teen’s life but on those around him or her.
• Suicide is probably the worst of the effects and talk of or attempted suicides should never be ignored.

When a teen is being treated for teenage depression he/she will need parents, family and friend support more than ever. The knowledge that they are loved, valued and needed goes a long way in affecting a cure.

Communication with our teens is essential; how else can we start understanding what our teen might be going through. The first step is to let them talk. When teens are ready to talk please LISTEN.   Do not be judgmental, shocked or angry.  Offer support and reassurance that suicidal feelings do not last forever.  Seek assistance from a trained professional as soon as possible.

Listening to your teen with an open mind can help you to start finding out what might be wrong.  Before responding in any way take some time to think about what has been said. Maybe then you will start to recognize changes mentioned above.   If you are a good listener it will help get serious matters dealt with lot quicker than putting things off until it’s too late. Many times we (Police) hear parents say “If I had just listened I could have got them help sooner”.

Understanding, recognizing and listening to our Teens is so important.  A happy Teen is a productive, enjoyable creature who should move into adulthood with the greatest of ease. It’s a wonderful part of their life we want to be involved in.

Don’t you think?

Cpl. Pat Bryant

Youth Resource Officer

Central Saanich Police Service