Safety tips to protect your house from a break and enter - ongoing investigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 22, 2020   3:32pm 

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Break and Enter Unit has received several reports of daytime residential break and enters within the last week, in or nearby the Westboro area. These incidents have occurred while residents are home but are either outside or in another area of the house. 

The Ottawa Police has been made aware that with these incidents, a suspicious man was seen either in a neighbour’s yard or trying to enter a neighbour’s home. When the man was questioned by neighbours including children, he left the area immediately.

These incidents may have been deemed by some members of the community as incidents of a stranger approaching children. However, no evidence has been found to that effect.

No suspect is in custody at this time, and the investigation continues.

As the weather warms and we are getting outside more often, police would like to remind homeowners of some ways to help prevent your home from being the target of a break-in: 

• Do not leave windows and doors open or unlocked while you are outside on your property or in a different area of your home. 
• Door and windows should be kept locked at all times.
• If you have an attached garage, always keep the access door between the house and the garage locked.  
• If you have a garage door remote in your vehicle, ensure it is kept out of sight and keep your vehicle locked.
• Keep valuables and sentimental items you wouldn’t want lost in a safe and if possible secure the safe to the floor or wall stud. 
• Don’t leave purses and wallets just inside your entry door.
• Install and use a security bar on your patio door.
• Keep grass cut and shrubs trimmed to give your home a lived-in look.
• Consider security lighting and cameras.

Watch out for one another.   If you see a suspicious person in your neighbour’s yard or driveway, call police.

Anyone with information relating to any break and enters is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Break and Enter Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 4533.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca. 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366