The following are Reports from Roy Morgan ISCPP, BC Blockwatch Coordinator, Crime Prevention Coordinator / RCMP Support Services, Regional District of Central Okanagan, 250-707-8021 roy.morgan@rdco.com

September 5, 2023 – Roy Morgan Update

Good morning Blockwatch members,

Hope you are all safe and well after this recent wildfire incident that has affected so many of us on the Westside and Central Okanagan.

I know some of my groups were evacuated but are now home but are still on evacuation alert such as my family and I here on the Westside.

Take care and be safe and look out for each other.

As your Crime Prevention Coordinator for the RDCO / RCMP Support Services I encourages residents to take an active role in crime prevention in their neighbourhood and community by participating in the #9PMRoutine.

The #9PMRoutine is used by police agencies across North America to remind citizens to protect themselves and their properties. 

There are simple steps you can take to help prevent crime in your neighbourhood. 

Every night at 9 p.m.:

• Remove valuables from your vehicle and ensure it’s locked, vehicle windows and sunroof are closed, and if possible, your vehicle’s parked in a garage.
• If vehicle is left overnight on your driveway, ensure your driveway and vehicle are illuminated.
• Close all garage windows and lock any garage doors, especially those leading into your house.
• Check and lock all external house doors and shut all windows.
• Turn on any exterior lights around your home and driveway.
• Close and lock any side gates on your property.
• Lock your shed and any other outbuildings.
• Put away and secure any bikes, toys and garden tools / equipment left in your yard.

Continue to be a good vigilant neighbour and report suspicious activity to the police.

Kind Regards

Roy Morgan ISCPP

BC Blockwatch Coordinator

June 4, 2023 – 9:00PM Routine
Here’s a friendly reminder regarding the 9PM Routine.
The #9PMRoutine is used by police agencies across North America to remind citizens to protect themselves and their property.
Central Okanagan RCMP encourages residents to take an active role in crime prevention in their neighbourhood and community by participating in the #9PMRoutine.
There are simple steps you can take to help prevent crime in your neighbourhood. Every night at 9 p.m.:
• Remove valuables from your vehicle and ensure it’s locked, windows are closed, and if possible, your vehicle’s parked in a garage.
• Close all garage windows and lock any garage doors, especially those leading into your house.
• Keep your vehicle registration and insurance documents secure. The documents can be used to commit other crimes.
• Check and lock all house doors and shut all windows.
• Turn on exterior lights around your home.
• Close and lock your gates around your property.
• Lock up your outbuildings.
• Put away garden tools, bikes, and toys in your yard.

April 11, 2023 – Gold Scammers
Gold scammers were back in action in the Okanagan over the Easter weekend.
A man says he was approached Friday afternoon at the Co-op gas bar in Vernon by a couple claiming they needed money for fuel and offering jewelry for sale.
The “Middle Eastern looking” man and woman were well dressed and had a child with them, in the back of a minivan.
The victim was scammed out of $500 when he purchased rings and chains.
He took them to Raven Traders, where he was told they are fakes and basically worthless costume jewelry.
The con artists also tried to sell the man a ‘Rolex’ watch, but he declined.
“The scammer was dressed in a nice suit and said they had lost their ID and had no money and needed gas money to drive to family and get some help,” the man explained.
The chains and rings “are all stamped 18 karat and are all fakes,” Raven Traders said, warning others not to fall for the scam.
Rings and chains are the usual fake goods, but this scam included a pendant on one of the chains – a new development in the fraudsters’ tactics, Raven Traders says.
Vernon RCMP warned the public after a similar incident, saying: “If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.”

March 3, 2023 – Canada’s Fraud Awareness Month
Below is a list of types of common fraud & scams that appear, usually by email or through social media outlets, we receive online.
Please be aware of these types of crimes and talk to close friends & family members for advice and contact me if you are unsure who you are dealing with.
Online Scams & Fraud
• Romance scams – a person creates a false identity, pretends to have romantic feelings, gains victims trust & affection then scams them for money.
• Phishing emails – lures you into giving up username, passwords, or other sensitive info by pretending to be someone you know & trust.
• Job Scams – scammers pose as employer recruiter, offers attractive work opportunities which require job seekers to pay money in advance for training or equipment.
• Buy and Sell Fraud – scammers pose as both buyers / sellers, look to trick you out of your cash by you paying for an item that does not exist or is never delivered.
• Lottery/prize scams – informed you have won a prize and you need to send money or banking details to claim a non-existent prize!
• Tech repair scams – scammers use scare tactics to trick you into unnecessary technical support service to fix your device or software problems that don’t exist.
• Impersonation scams – scammers claim to be a representative from Government, Canada Revenue Agency, Police Officer, or local Bank, tries to convince you to send money or personal information.
Please report any fraud cons and scams you may have unfortunately been involved in, it’s a common occurrence, don’t be embarrassed or feel foolish, it happens but we must report it to raise public awareness.
Report it to your local RCMP Detachment on their non – emergency number and create a file#.
You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501 or if its Business related, contact your BC Better Business Bureau on 604-682-2711
Let me know too by email or phone that this has occurred so I can give you some prevention advice.

February 13, 2023 – #9PMRoutine
I have recently received some CCTV footage from a Blockwatch member showing criminal opportunists wandering around his neighbourhood during the night hours.
These persons were looking for easy thefts from unlocked vehicles and any items they could pick up that had been left out overnight in yards to steal.
Police forces around the country are encouraging residents to get in an evening “securing” habit, such as the #9PMRoutine around your property.
Offences such as thefts, mischief, and break and enters to residences and businesses are among the crimes that may be addressed by using a #9PMRoutine habit.
The premise of the #9PMRoutine is to get in the practice of locking up vehicles, putting away yard tools, accounting for valuables and doing things like leaving an outdoor light on before bed.
These are the first steps in preventing these crimes from happening overnight.
Suggested practices for the #9PMRoutine include:
• Removing any valuables from your vehicles or place items out of sight in vehicle trunk.
• If you have a garage, use it, park your vehicle in it overnight.
• Vehicles parked on driveways, make sure we lock them and light up your driveway
• Closing and locking garage doors and windows
• Checking all doors and windows in the home to make sure they are closed and locked
• Leaving an outdoor light on around the property.
Let’s all try and get in this routine before we go off to bed.

February 7, 2023 – Catalytic Converter Thefts on Rise Across Okanagan
Kelowna RCMP (Central Okanagan ) media release on Castanet, Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise across the Okanagan, according to the Kelowna RCMP.
Several residents have taken to social media over the last few weeks reporting their catalytic converters have been stolen. Security at Kelowna General Hospital also recently chased away a thief trying to steal a nurse’s catalytic converter.
“We notice that our numbers are going up. Our investigators are working on it right now,” said RCMP Const. Mike Della-Paolera.
Catalytic converters have become a common target in recent years because they contain valuable precious metals, including palladium, platinum, and rhodium. At a scrapyard, they can range in value from $100 to over $1,000.
“Once they are stolen, they are gone and you can’t trace them back to where they were stolen from — they are very valuable,” Della-Paolera said, adding there are things vehicle owners can do to protect themselves.
“We are asking people to park their cars in well-lit places, well-populated places, in your driveways, in your garages,” he said, noting even taking those steps will not fully eliminate theft risk. Residents should also be aware of suspicious noises, like electrical tools running late at night.
ICBC says claim costs for thefts of the devices jumped to more than $4 million in 2021 from $356,950 in 2017. Last March, the government introduced new regulations to fight the crime. An amendment to the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Regulation regulates catalytic converters that are not attached to an exhaust system. It requires registered metal dealers to report each transaction, including information about the seller, to police on the day of sale.
“I know a lot of people like to go to Facebook right away, but it is better that you report it to us as soon as possible. The fresher the better obviously. It will help with the investigation” Della-Paolera said.
The Kelowna RCMP non-emergency number for West Kelowna RCMP is 250-768-2880′
Please remember Blockwatch members, it’s a 911 call if you come across or are witnessing a crime / theft in progress.
The non-emergency number is to be used for reporting the crime after the event, when the suspects are no longer there and there is no immediate danger to you.
Observe & report you are all “Eyes and Ears” for the RCMP in your communities.

January 18, 2023 – January is Crimestoppers Month
Central Okanagan Crimestoppers is a successful community-based crime solving program that makes are communities safer places to live. Crimestoppers is an international crime solving program that links with the public, police, and the media. The Crimestoppers program is all about anonymity – they don’t want your name or number. If you see something, say something
Members of the public can leave tips/ information by calling a toll free # 1-800-222-8477 or submit by clicking on “submit a tip” on their website.
Your information is 100% anonymous and they pay out rewards of up to $2000 for information that leads to an arrest or charges.

January 13, 2023 – CRA Scam Email (click here to read report)

December 1, 2022 – December Busy Time for Thefts

The Central Okanagan RCMP is reminding shoppers that December is a busy month for thieves.
“The month of December has traditionally been a busy time for thefts whether that is from a front porch or from a vehicle,” states a news release from the RCMP.
Now that the holiday season is approaching, shoppers are being reminded to be vigilant as thefts increase.
When shopping locally your purchased packages should be placed in the trunk of your vehicle instead of leaving them on your backseat, always lock your vehicle and try and park in a well-lit area.
Thieves generally target vehicles with packages, backpacks or other valuables that are visible from the outside. “It typically takes a thief less than 30 seconds to break into a vehicle,” says police.
Package thefts from front porches and mailboxes can also increase at this time of year.
If you are shopping online consider sending your packages to your work address or an address where someone can receive them.
“If possible, avoid leaving your online packages waiting on your front porch,” police suggested.
If you are the victim of a theft do not hesitate to call the RCMP and report it.
Continue to be a good vigilant neighbour and be “Eyes and Ears” for the police in your community.

November 19, 2022 – Grandparents Scam

The Central Okanagan RCMP is warning the public that seniors are being actively targeted with the Grandparent Scam.
Grandparent scams are common scams that target seniors. They usually involve a phone call from someone telling the victims that their grandchild is in legal trouble and will need a large sum of money as bail.
If you get a call like this, be prepared: the scammer may already know your grandchild’s name and what your grandchild calls you (for example, a nickname like Nona or Grampy).
Scammers request money to be wired right away without telling anyone. The scammer may try to convince you that your grandchild was in a car accident or arrested.
In two separate instances recently in Kelowna, the scammer attended the victim’s residence, taking large sums of cash they had pre-arranged with the victims.
What to do
If you receive a call like this, DON’T wire the money or give the caller any further information. Hang up and call your grandchild, or another family member, to find out what’s going on.
Then report the scam to:
• your local police, and
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
• Toll-free at 1 888 495-8501
• Email info@antifraudcentre.ca
• Website: Canadian Anti-Fraud Cent
At no time will a government agency, the Justice system or any other business request cash or other forms of payment like gift cards. If they do, It’s a scam.
Currently, the Kelowna RCMP is actively investigating these crimes. If you are a victim or have received a phone call asking for money, please call the RCMP at (250) 762-3300 to report it.

November 10, 2022 – Ensure your home is SAFE and SECURE while you are away

Its that time of the year when you may be thinking of escaping the snow and enjoying some sunshine and warmth in some far away destination. Well, if this is you, enjoy, but please ensure your home is safe and secure while you are away. Below are some tips to target harden your home while you are away.

Home Security
Talk to and leave a door key to a trusted family member / friend or a fellow Blockwatch neighbour to keep a periodic check on your home while you are away.
Ensure all home doors and windows are closed and locked before you leave.
Get the trusted key holder to collect any post or flyers left at your door.
Use timers within your home to activate lights and radio at random intervals
Install exterior lighting around your home and install motion activated lights covering any dark areas in your yard.
Arrange to have your driveway cleared after snow falls while you are away and get one of your neighbours to park a vehicle on your drive.
Unplug your garage door opener and lock your garage door.
Any outbuildings & sheds you have, must be secured, and locked with additional locking systems such as padlocks.
Unplug certain appliances and electronics within your home such as TV’s and computers to reduce possible risk of fire.
Before you go away make sure you have an inventory list of valuable items within your home with records of make / model and serial numbers.
Make sure whoever is looking out for your home has your contact information in case of an emergency. This should include your departure and return dates and all details of your Home’s Alarm system, if fitted, including your code number, and instructions on how to use the system

October 20, 2022 – Gold scammers are again making the rounds in the Okanagan

An article featured on Vernon Castanet media today, BE AWARE!! –
A Vernon man was duped Tuesday when a couple outside the Wholesale Club store approached him with a tale of woe. The man was taken for $400 when the fake gold jewelry he purchased was only worth $20 to $50. A spokesperson at Raven Traders in downtown Vernon says the man came into the store shortly after making the purchase to see how much the ‘gold’ was worth. “I could see without even picking it up that it was costume jewelry,” the Raven spokesperson said. The man and a friend had apparently been approached by a Middle Eastern-looking man and woman looking to sell a chunky necklace, bracelet, and man’s ring, saying their vehicle had broken down and they needed money to repair it and return to Eastern Canada. The man paid $400 for the jewelry, which if real would have been worth about $3,000 in sale value at Raven Traders and double that if new at a jewelry store. The items were stamped as if they were 18-carat gold. They were said to be “extremely good” fakes, “but don’t trust a stamp,” Raven Traders advises. “He was pretty mad about it, but this type of thing happens frequently,” the spokesperson said. “People get excited,” thinking they are scoring a bargain, but police say, “buyer beware.” Earlier this year, Vernon RCMP warned the public about fake gold con artists in the area. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is, police say. “This scam is not unique to our area and is one that keeps popping up in communities across the province,” said North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson Const. Chris Terleski. Raven Traders says it sees similar cases almost every month, and many people are too embarrassed to go to police about it. “By the time they come to us, it’s too late… people come in asking ‘Is this real?’ and there’s nothing I can do to help them.”

October 7, 2022 – Document and/or Engrave Your Property

When you document and/or engrave your property, it will increase the chances of having your property returned to you if it is ever stolen or goes missing.
Taking photos of your property will also help document it for possible insurance claims and/or police reports. For items which are difficult to engrave, such as jewelry, art, family heirlooms and antiques, photos are a great way to keep a record. Take a picture of yourself with the property and save them to a place which is accessible. Video is a great option too! Tips to engraving your property are as follows:

• Engrave property with your driver’s license number. DO NOT use your SIN number.
• Initials and other unique letters and numbers can be used to personalise it to you.
• Make sure to put BCDL in front so if it is recovered out of province it can be returned.
• Engravers work on plastic, metal, and wood.
• Items worth engraving include bicycles, electronic equipment, and tools.
• Make an inventory list of engraved property items and keep it in a safe place.
• Once you have marked the property put decals on your front and rear doors or windows alerting would be criminals that your property is marked for identification.
• Engraving – provides evidence of guilt and enables police to detain a suspect who is found in possession of property engraved with someone else’s driver’s license number.
• Engraving – provides evidence of guilt and enables police to detain a suspect who is found in possession of property engraved with someone else’s driver’s license number.
• There is a higher likelihood that the property will be returned to its rightful owner.
• Engraving may serve as a deterrent as criminals are less likely to steal marked property.
• The thief cannot reclaim the property if it is seized.
• Take photos or video of other valuables.

Property Identification forms that you can use to keep records of your items. Click Here.
Roy Morgan has engravers that he can lend to mark items and identification decals stickers to use as a visible deterrent. Call Roy at 250-707-8021.

September 22, 2022 – Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone wrongfully obtains and uses your personal information to commit fraud or theft. By using your basic personal information such as name, address, social insurance number (SIN), date of birth and mother’s maiden name, identity thieves may gain access to bank accounts, apply for loans, and credit cards or engage in criminal activity that ultimately becomes associated to you.

RECOGNIZE

• Calls and letters for credit cards or accounts you never applied for
• Not receiving mail
• Unauthorized credit card purchases

REPORT

• Contact the bank to close or modify accounts and credit cards
• Contact credit bureaus and have fraud alerts placed on your credit reports: Equifax 1-800-465-7166 and TransUnion 1-877-525-3823
• Notify police and record your police file number
• Report to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre online or 1-888-495-8501

PROTECT

• Use caution when sharing personal information in person, over the phone and online
• Don’t carry your SIN card and passport on you unnecessarily
• Use secure websites that have proper data encryption
• Protect your passwords, change them often, and use unique passwords that won’t be easily guessed
• Shred documents that contain personal or banking information
• Check monthly credit statements for charges you did not make and review your credit report at least once a year.

For your information there is a Community Shredding Event at the RBC Royal Bank parking lot in West Kelowna Saturday 24^th September between 1000-1200hrs. The event is organized by my West Kelowna RCMP Community Policing Volunteers & RBC Royal Bank. Cash donation will be collected for the Okanagan Boys and Girls Westside Youth Centre.

August 12 – Common Red Flags and Signs That You May Be Corresponding to a Scammer.

I recently spoke to a victim of an online employment scam where a “dream” job was offered but the person was then scammed out of $500 upfront for training & equipment. Although there is a long list of different scams that target us here in the Central Okanagan, there are common links between the scams.
Remember: Scammers prey on emotions, whether that’s fear, love, panic, or guilt.
Below I have compiled a list of common red flags and signs that you may be corresponding to a scammer. When a scammer calls you or connects online with you and is:

• Threatening you with arrest or fines
• Requesting payment in unusual forms, like Gift cards, Bitcoin, money orders or wire service transfers.
• Telling you not to talk to anyone about what you are doing with them.
• Asking you for payments up front for a job, equipment / training, to receive a prize or get your money back, etc.
• Requesting personal information from you such as SIN number and / or financial account or passwords information.
• Leaving alarming messages by email / phone requesting you to urgently dial a number to proceed or call another number they provide you with.
• Sending you money (e-cheque, e-transfer, or money transfer ) with instructions to send back all or a portion in Bitcoins, Gift cards or other forms of currency

If you receive any of the above correspondence, please take a moment and step away and take some advice from a trusted friend or relative. Unexpected calls you receive saying they are from certain organization; you can hang up and find the number yourself and call them back to ask if it was legitimate.
If you have been the victim of a scam, please report it to your local RCMP Detachment for assistance. We need these scams to be reported so we can make other residents aware. Please continue to be vigilant neighbours and keep reporting suspicious activities in you block,
Thank you all again for Volunteering to be part of the RDCO / RCMP BC Blockwatch program. You are all valuable “Eyes and Ears” for the RCMP in your communities,