Thieves target rural construction sites

Lumber, windows, tools disappear after workers leave

As fast as builders can put up new houses in Headingley, thieves are raiding them to steal lumber and supplies.

“Headingley has undergone quite a bit of growth over the last couple years, making new construction quite common, and unfortunately people are driving by, noticing these houses are unoccupied and coming back later at night and taking things,” said Jackie Friesen, co-ordinator of the Headingley Crime Watch.

The Heartland subdivision, just north of the Trans-Canada Highway, has been particularly hard hit, say police and the Rural Crime Watch.

“I just moved to the north side after living 20 years on the south side and I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Shan Hornby, a Crime Watch member. “It’s a new experience for me to have to report so much crime.”

Police estimate thieves have made off with more than $10,000 worth of lumber and other items from lots under construction. In one case a lone crook walked off with eight windows, which cost the construction company $3,000 to replace.

“We have quite an epidemic in the area where construction sites are being attended to by the bad guys,” said RCMP Const. Al Pasquini.

“There are a lot of thefts and we believe the case is that somebody just wants to build a new house the cheap way with stolen items.”

The Mounties have increased patrols in areas with new construction and have advised construction companies on ways to improve security.

“We are trying to develop a rapport with the construction companies and trying to get them to be more careful,” Pasquini said.

“In the past construction companies have just left tools sitting out. Well, that certainly is an invitation for people to come by and just steal them so now we encourage them to make sure everything is under lock and key.”

Mounties are also working with Rural Crime Watch committees, Chamber of Commerce and rural governments to limit the losses.

Friesen believes it will take more than the police to end the crime wave.

“We realize there is only so much the police can do, they can’t be everywhere at once, so what the Crime Watch group is hoping to get done is organize a way in which we can get together and address the problem ourselves,” he said.

Friesen would like to see more communication between the Crime Watch group and land developers in the area. She says everyone must be made aware of the rising number of incidents and home owners must remain vigilant.

“With all the open land in Headingley, I don’t see the problem dying down any time soon, so I’m hoping we can do something about the problem,” Friesen said.

She said residents can also help each other by keeping an eye on each other’s properties.

“If you’re going to be away from the house for an extended period of time it helps to let your neighbours know,” she said, “that way they can keep an eye out for any suspicious vehicles coming or going.”