Alexander McCready, 40 years old of no fixed address, has now been charged with Break and Enter and Possession of Break-in Instruments. The Vancouver Police Department would like to thank a Crime Alert Service member for his keen eye and swift action which made this apprehension possible.

The VPD sent out its first Crime Alerts on January 29, 2010. One of the VPD’s first Alerts was for a break and enter problem to businesses on Denman St. The break-ins were occurring during the night and residents were asked to keep a sharp eye out for suspicious activity both on the ground and on roof tops. Three days later a local resident, who had gotten up in the early morning hours for a glass of water, looked out his window and saw a suspicious person committing what he thought was a break and enter to a business. He called 911, and the VPD responded and arrested a suspect a short distance away.

The alert resident later told investigators that he was being extra vigilant because he knew that break-ins had been happening in the area because of the email Crime Alert he had received.

Made possible through the generous assistance of the Vancouver Police Foundation, the free Neighbourhood Crime Alert Service will send updates on crime in your neighbourhood and crime prevention information to your email account. Please invite your neighbours and fellow Vancouverites to sign up to the VPD’s Crime Alert Service so that we can continue to make Vancouver the safest major city in Canada - visit www.vpdcrimealerts.ca for more information. You can also support the VPD’s use of innovative crime-fighting projects by joining the Vancouver Police Foundation today.