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What's New(s)?
Please check back often to stay up-to-date with our current Newsletter and what's happening to support crime awareness in the Cochrane, Foothills, West Airdrie areas of south-central Alberta.

Click here to read the latest newsletter. Click here to report a crime online directly to the RCMP. Click here to access the Members Only page. Click here to join the Cochrane Foodhills Protective Association.

News Highlights

  1. OBITUARY SCAMS
    March 16, 2024 - While obituaries are a way to send off our loved ones and inform our communities of a loss, criminals also use the information in these articles to commit fraud. Learn how to protect your family from this scam.

  2. RED DEER RCMP WARN PUBLIC OF SMART KEY EMULATORS
    February 28, 2024 - Red Deer RCMP wish to warn the public on the use of smart key emulators in vehicle thefts. A Smart Key Emulator is a device that allows you to create (emulate) a key for certain car models without using or having the original smart key. After emulating the key, the device can open and close the doors, the trunk, as well as start the engine at anytime, over an infinite amount of times. The emulator takes over the basic functions of the original smart key and essentially becomes the smart key.

    Safety measures against Key Fob Emulator (Relay Attacks):

    1. Don't leave valuable items (purses, GPS units, shopping bags or electronics) in your car. If you must do so, make sure they are out of sight in a locked glove box or trunk.
    2. If possible, park your car in a closed garage; this makes it a far less inviting target.
    3. Block your vehicle between your garage and a second less sought after vehicle.
    4. Use a steering wheel lock, also known as a club, to deter thieves.
    5. Install motion detection light and exterior surveillance cameras at home to act as a deterrent.
    6. Store your key fobs (all of them) in a metal container when not in use. The metal provides a barrier that interrupts radio signals to/from the smart fob.
    7. Alternatively, inexpensive RFID pouches are available. These have metal mesh linings that can shield a key fob from sending or receiving radio signals.
    8. Keep in mind that on occasion the thieves have returned to steal the replacement vehicle after the first one had been stolen, so continue to follow these tips.

  3. RAVE ALERT, CRIME PREVENTION INITIATIVE: CAPTURE PROGRAM
    Ever wanted to help keep your community safe but didn't know how to get involved? Alberta RCMP is excited to expand their new video surveillance registration program across the province! Learn more about the Community Assisted Policing Through Use of Recorded Evidence Program here.

  4. AVOID GETTING "GRINCHED" THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
    As mail delivery ramps up for the holiday season, ensure it's a December to remember for all the right reasons. Mail theft is often a crime of opportunity and happens most in the month of December. With more and more consumers shopping online and having presents delivered, there is an increase in mail delivery, making it easier for thieves to snag your presents! If ordering online or sending presents through the mail, make sure to follow these tips.

  5. RAVE ALERT - CAPTURE PROGRAM
    Ever wanted to help keep your community safe but didn't know how to get involved? Alberta RCMP is excited to expand their new video surveillance registration program across the province! Learn more about "CAPTURE (Community Assisted Policing Through the Use of Recorded Evidence), and sign up for a free account today!

  6. RAVE PROGRAM EXPANDED
    RAVE is a web based communication platform that RCMP officers are mandated to fan out real time alerts to community members in Alberta. Alerts are sent via email, text message or phone call - preference is on the account user. Details and Opt-In Instructions.

  7. LOCK IT OR LOSE IT
    By August of this year, RCMP had responded to around 4,500 reports of thefts from vehicles and around 5,000 stolen vehicles in Alberta. 40% of all stolen vehicles have the keys in them, or the keys are accessible, making these thefts a crime of opportunity. Awareness initiatives like Lock It or Lose It are important to prevent crime in rural Alberta, including motor vehicle thefts.

  8. ROAD SAFETY TIPS FOR NEW DRIVERS
    This month the Alberta RCMP is focussing on new driver safety. It takes time to build and develop driving skills. The Alberta RCMP reminds new, and experienced, drivers to keep these tips in mind:
    • Drive sober. You must have a blood-alcohol level of zero. Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
    • Don't go solo. Drivers with a learner's licence must be accompanied by a fully licenced (non-GDL probationary) individual. The individual must be 18 years of age or older and seated beside the driver (Government of Alberta, 2021).
    • The posted speed limit is the maximum speed in ideal conditions. Slow down if conditions are not ideal.
    • Do not drive distracted. Set up your handsfree devices, adjust your mirrors, and ensure everyone is wearing their seatbelt before starting your trip.
    • Allow extra time and space when passing a larger vehicle, like an RV.
    • Be aware of your surroundings and practice defensive driving.

    All drivers have a role to play in upholding traffic safety; with a license comes a responsibility to follow traffic laws and ensure everyone's safety.

    For traffic safety information, follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on Twitter @RCMPAlberta.

  9. COCHRANE RCMP REMINDS CITIZENS ABOUT PHONE AND ONLINE FRAUD SCAMS
    On April 26, 2023, Cochrane RCMP received two reports of phone and online fraud scams of elderly citizens resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars. The Cochrane RCMP would like to advise the public about the dangers of these scams and provide some following tips to prevent being victimized:
    • Never send e-transfers to numbers, emails or people you do not recognize or verify to be true
    • Never provide passwords, PIN numbers, account numbers, over the phone, text or email
    • Never provide credit card numbers via text or email
    • Enroll in push notifications for mobile banking transactions
    • Protect your PIN and always create difficult-to-guess PIN numbers
    • Go paperless - sign up for online billing and financial statements to prevent criminals from stealing your identity or sensitive data from your mailbox
    • Collect your mail daily
    • Secure all your financial documents in a protected location
    • Protect yourself on social media - avoid tagging your location while on vacation as criminals will know you're not home and do not accept friend requests from people you do not know
    • Never share your passwords and regularly change your passwords
    • Never open suspicious links in emails or texts
    • Report any fraud or suspicious activity to your bank, Canadian anti-fraud centre and your local police

    Cochrane RCMP encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity in our community at 780-851-8000 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

  10. CFPA ALERT - WALKING PATHS
    Cochrane RCMP advise there have been recent home break and enters where access has been gained using the walking path behind a home. Please watch for suspicious actvity on walking paths behind your home, should this apply. Report suspicious activity to Cochrane RCMP at 403 932 2211.

  11. CANADIAN ANTI FRAUD CENTRE - Please click on this link to learn more about current Scams and Frauds.

  12. WARNING: EMERGENCY SCAMS! - Fraudsters are inventing stressful situations to convince you to give them money. They may claim to be police, or tell you not to call police. Your RCMP detachment can help. Details in this poster - call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

  13. FREE MEMBERSHIPS FOR 2023 - Cochrane Foothills Protection Association (CFPA) is pleased to provide FREE memberships for 2023. We are keen to expand our membership to increase awareness and protection of our community. So, if you or someone you know has been looking for ways to increase your safety, security, awareness and knowledge, would like to get involved or simply meet some like-minded people, please complete the 2023 membership application form.

  14. ALBERTA RCMP APP - The Alberta RCMP have recently created a phone app that is available as a free download from your App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android). The app contains current information on RCMP reports, rural and municipal crime statistics for Alberta detachments including Cochrane and Airdrie, Alberta crime map, Project Lock-up, Detachment contact info, Report a Crime tool, and Crime Stopper links. This is a very handy app for monitoring rural crime activity and RCMP reporting.

  15. Members Only Page - Click on our new Member's Only & Reporter link to access our new Member's Only materials and Reporter. You will be directed to a log-in portal which, upon entry of your current ID and Password, will open both the "Member Only" materials and the "Reporter" tool.

EMERGENCY/ACTIVE CRIME
Call if you can.  Text if you can't.  We are a 9-1-1 community.

Click here to notify Rocky View County about bylaw infractions, lost animals, unsightly premises, traffic-related concerns, or other issues related to bylaw enforcement.

Canada Police Reports publish police media reports focusing on Western Canada.
Airdrie     |     Cochrane

Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association promotes, involves, and identifies needs surrounding crime prevention. Kids Help Phone is Canada's only national 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, web counselling and referral service for children and youth. To report suspected poaching, call the toll free Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800. The line can also be used for emergencies involving wildlife. If you have information about any crime, and you want to remain anonymous, you can send a tip to www.crimestopper.ab.ca. Click here.
Click here to visit the MD of Rocky View's website. Click here to visit the MD of Rocky View's website. Click here to visit the Jepson Petroleum website. Click here to visit the MD of Bighorn's website.
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Website: www.cfparcw.ca

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