Crime Alert Updates Via Email

Sponsoring Member: Insp. Les Yeo

The VPD’s Crime Alert Service is a free service that sends updates on crime in an individual’s neighbourhood (based on their postal code) to their email account. This web-based service facilitates crime alerts to both residents and businesses in Vancouver.

The service can be accessed at www.vpdcrimealerts.ca.

Comments from Insp. Les Yeo

“One of the 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 resident who had just read his crime alert, got up in the early morning hours for a glass of water. He later told investigators that he was being extra vigilant because he knew that break-ins had been happening in the area. He looked out his window, and immediately saw a suspicious person committing what he thought was a break and enter to a business. He called 9-1-1. Police responded and arrested a suspect a short distance away.”

“The Crime Alert Service now hosts over 2,650 subscribers from throughout Vancouver. We are currently in discussions with the BIA’s (business improvement associations) of Vancouver so that we can bring their nearly 5,000 members on board. This would involve a separate category within the service, allowing us to provide direct business crime prevention and messaging to them.”