Happy Monday?

It makes us all sick to our stomach when we hear about a child being abducted. For a Battleford’s area family it’s been a roller coaster after their running vehicle with their six year old daughter in it was stolen on Sunday. An AMBERT ALERT was issued and many of us shared it in our news feeds on social media trying to help any way we could. My wife Heidi and I thought of all the clients we had in the Battleford’s area with HD Security Cameras that we could ask to check for footage. The family made a tearful video appeal asking for the return of their daughter with no questions asked.

It is a Happy Monday because the AMBER ALERT was cancelled as their daughter was safely found by a city worker in an industrial area. Prayers were answered and our worst fears were avoided. It appears to be a crime of opportunity. It’s possible the suspect(s) didn’t know there was a passenger in the vehicle.

So, what can we learn from this?

1. REDUCE OPPORTUNITIES

After running a security business for nearly two decades and visiting multiple crime scenes I can tell you that most crimes are crimes of opportunity. If you want to reduce crime, you need to control the odds and take away the opportunities. This means taking active precautions such as locking doors and windows, having proper lighting at night, and installing a security system. You are 400% less likely to have a break-in by taking action.

2. SOCIAL MEDIA WORKS

Many parents went to social media and shared news about the AMBER ALERT including photos of the abducted child and the vehicle that was stolen. It wasn’t just the RCMP working on their own anymore. Thousands of additional eyes and ears across the prairies were actively spreading the word and creating awareness. It certainly made it difficult for the suspects(s) to hide. Did it play a role in the decision to return the child safely? The investigation will tell the story.

Social Media also works when you share video footage from HD Security Cameras. Next time you experience a theft make sure you contact the POLICE and share images on FaceBook and Instagram. You never know who will recognize the suspect(s).

Virgil Reed
Founder, CEO
Reed Security

To the People and the Families that have been impacted by this horrible tragedy,

We don't have words to describe what you are going through. We know you have lots of pain at the moment. Our People are hurting and grieving with you.

We will heal together - one day at a time.

If you would like to help please make a donation via the Humboldt Broncos Go Fund Me page. 

The Saskatoon Police Service has a Crime Mapping Tool that you can use to learn about all the criminal offences and traffic collisions that have occurred in our community.

In 2017 Saskatoon had 2543 property crimes (break-ins) which is a 10 percent increase over the 2292 property crimes we experienced in 2016.

What's causing the increase in property crime?

One of the reasons is that our city is growing. As of July 2017 Saskatoon's population was estimated at 271,000. As our city grows so do the social problems that go along with it. 

Another reason is we now have a synthetic drug problem - specifically with fentanyl and crystal meth. People are addicted and need money to fuel the addiction. There's also a big increase in theft of vehicles, theft from vehicles and armed robberies.

Check out this 2016 interview between former Saskatoon Police Chief, Clive Weighill, and Global News. (the video quality is poor ,but the explanation is good).
   

It's that time of year when you will be getting pressured by aggressive door to door salespeople. They will be pushing you to sign you up to "limited time offers" that expire "right away" (because they do not have a local office).  And before you know you know it you're on the hook for thousands of dollars.

Several alarm companies only have SUMMER PROGRAMS. They rent houses and hire large crews of university students which are offered large commissions ($400 to $500 per contract) to get you to sign up.

LEARN MORE by Googling "door to door alarm scam".