The Alberta RCMP are branching out.  

Not only are they crime fighters, they've now added home and landscape designer to their ever-growing resumes.  But really, crime fighter and home and landscape designer, in this case, go hand in hand. 

The RCMP are urging homeowners who are spending far more time at home these days, to consider Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles when planning your home and yard projects this year.

The RCMP's Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist Jennifer Kee explains what the program is all about.  "CPTED is the crime prevention/crime reduction model we've adopted.  The focus is how we can take a property, and look at what alterations we can make to the existing structure to make it less desirable to criminals.  Making your property less desirable to be targetted."

Kee explains the program has three keys, what she calls the three 'L's of CPTED, locks, lighting and landscaping.

"Good lighting around your house. That's paramount," Kee insists.  "We do recommend LED lighting, always giving the illusion that somebody is at home and the property is being watched."

From there, Kee moves on the L of landscaping, saying "making sure that your shrubs or bushes are always trimmed down and to avoid any ambush spots."  Kee says it's a good idea to also consider planting prickly bushes like raspberries or roses to provide a natural barrier to criminals.  Make sure that your trees are also trimmed from the bottom so they don't block sightlines on your property.  

Finally, locks.  "Ensuring that, even if you are at home, making sure that the locks are working, making sure that the locking mechanisms are working.  That also goes for sliding doors, sliding windows, Be sure you have a locking mechanism for anything that can slide open."

The RCMP believes that CPTED is a key part of crime prevention and one very important part of their Crime Reduction Strategy.  

You can find more CPTED tips by following #CPTED and the RCMPs social media accounts, @RCMPAlberta on Twitter, @RCMPin Alberta on Facebook and @RCMP-GRCAlberta on YouTube.

You'll find the playlist of CPTED how-tow videos HERE.

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