The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada. The RCMP is unique in the world since it is a national, federal, provincial and municipal policing body.

The RCMP provides a total federal policing service to all Canadians and policing services under contract to the three territories, eight provinces (except Ontario and Quebec), approximately 198 municipalities and, under 172 individual agreements, to 192 First Nations communities.

For more information about the RCMP, including the history of the RCMP, organization of the RCMP, best practices, reports and publication visit the national RCMP Canada and RCMP in B.C. websites.

For local information, see the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment website.

The RCMP in Belcarra

The RCMP provides policing services to the Village of Belcarra under contract with the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of the Solicitor General. The mandate of the RCMP is to enforce laws, prevent crime, and maintain peace, order and security which is accomplished through traditional policing services as well as community programs such as Victim Assistance, Block Watch, and Speed Watch.

The RCMP policing services and specialized integrated policing teams that the RCMP provides to all of its detachments in British Columbia are summarized in an illuminating overview (3 MB pdf file). British Columbia is a leader in North America with regard to integrated policing services, and few people appreciate the numerous Integrated Teams provided by the RCMP ― and the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment has had occasion to request the assistance of a great many of the Integrated Teams:

• Marine Services;
• Under Water Recovery Team;
• Air Services – Fixed Wing and Helicopter;
• Traffic Safety Helicopter;
• Traffic Services & Enhanced Road Safety Unit;
• Police Dog Service (PDS);
• Forensic Identification Services (FIS);
• Tactical Troop;
• Critical Mass Response To Civil Emergencies;
• Emergency Response Team (ERT);
• Explosives Disposal Unit (Bomb Squad);
• Aerial Extraction Team;
• Major Event, Incident Response & Management;
• BC Integrated Gang Task Force;
• Integrated Hi-Tech Crime Unit;
• Coordinated Marijuana Enforcement Team;
• Clandestine Laboratory Search Team;
• Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT);
• Integrated National Security Enforcement Team;
• Graphic Arts & Forensic Video Sections;
• Integrated Sexual Predator Observation Team (ISPOT);
• Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE);
• Violent Incident Classification Linkage & Analysis System (VICLAS);
• Missing Persons Coordination Center;
• Community Policing Services: AMBER Alert, Parent Block-Watch, Marine Watch, Block Watch, Victim Services, Crime Stoppers, & BC Safe Schools;
• Federal Policing Services: Narcotics, Counter Terrorism, Commercial Crime, Integrated Proceeds of Crime, Integrated Border Integrity Team, Special “I”, Special “O”.

The Coquitlam RCMP Detachment covers a remarkably large area ― located between Indian Arm (on the west), Pitt Lake & Pitt River (to the east), the Fraser River (to the south), and extending northward almost to Whistler ― with the municipalities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam amounting to only 10% of the total area. It is also unique in the RCMP Lower Mainland District regarding the number of high-use recreation areas that represent seasonal policing challenges for Anmore and Belcarra:

• Two Provincial Parks: Indian Arm & Pinecone Burke Provincial Parks;
• Two Regional Parks: Minnekhada & Belcarra Regional Parks (900,000 visitors per year);
• One BC Hydro Recreation Area: Buntzen Lake (750,000 visitors per year);
• Two Marine Recreation Areas: Indian Arm Fjord & Pitt Lake / Pitt River.

RCMP Invite Citizens to Free Community Shred Event

The theme for Fraud Prevention Month is Recognize it. Report it. Stop it. One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent fraud and identity theft is to follow one basic rule for your personal records: if you don't need it, DESTROY it…responsibly!

To wrap-up the annual Fraud Prevention Month, the Coquitlam RCMP hosts a FREE Community Shred Event to help the citizens protect themselves against fraud and identity theft. Residents of Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam are invited to start spring cleaning by shredding unneeded paper records such that they will be securely destroyed by Shred-It Document Services mobile unit.

Crime Statistics For British Columbia

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Police Services Division, has released the 2013 crime statistics for B.C. which contains information on the type and incidence of reported crime in British Columbia.

Lower Mainland District Regional Police Service Integrated Teams Annual Report 2010-2011
The Lower Mainland District is a dynamic and diverse area that stretches from Pemberton to the US border and from the Sunshine Coast to the Coquihalla Highway. The District’s 13 regional police offices and detachments serve 1.6 million people in 29 communities, including 40 Aboriginal communities. Approximately 2,100 RCMP officers are committed to protecting the people who live, work and play throughout the Lower Mainland.

Coquitlam RCMP Detachment 2009 Annual Report (527 KB pdf file) on crime and safety provides an overview of the accomplishments of the RCMP in delivering policing services to the municipalities of Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. The Coquitlam RCMP Detachment’s 2008 Annual Report (786 KB pdf file), 2007 Annual Report (2.23 MB pdf file), 2006 Annual Report (578 KB pdf file), provide criminal code data and updates on the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment’s Crime Reduction Strategy.

BC RCMP 2009-2010 Year in Review provides highlights of the accomplishments of the RCMP in delivering effective policing services to the Province and over 60 municipalities throughout BC.

Mail Security and Mail Theft Prevention

Theft of mail from Canada Post group mail boxes has become a serious and growing problem in the Lower Mainland from Hope to Vancouver, and like any theft of personal property can lead to financial loss and considerable inconvenience.
Mail theft is a federal crime, and new federal legislation deems mail NOT to be delivered until it is in your personal possession. As a consequence, mail delivered to group mail boxes is considered to be still in the possession of Canada Post until picked-up by the owner of the mail; that is, the addressee. This is a subtle but important point which means that perpetrators are charged with "mail theft" and not simply "theft under".

One of the most serious issues is Identity Theft. One of the fastest growing crimes in Canada, identity theft occurs when someone steals your name and other personal information with the intention of assuming your identity to gain access to your finances, make purchases and incur debts in your name, or commit other crimes. Protect yourself –– learn to protect both your mail and your personal information!

Reporting of mailbox break-ins plays an important part in solving the problem. First and foremost, anybody who witnesses a mailbox break-in should immediately call "9-1-1". In Belcarra, such fast action in reporting has previously provided fingerprint evidence and resulted in the culprits being caught (see item below).

To report a mailbox break-in after-the-fact, telephone the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment non-emergency number (604-945-1550). The RCMP Dispatcher will generate a file number and will also contact Canada Post security personnel (7/24) to report the incident on your behalf.

Home Security Info & Tips

Your home is more than just a building, and the belongings that fill your home are more than just "stuff". Homes represent family, friends, history, and community, and crimes like vandalism, break and enter, and theft that target homes are upsetting in addition to being costly and inconvenient. Check the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment's Home Security Info & Tips and protect your home from break and enters.

RCMP Press Release –– Belcarra Resident Helps Nab Mailbox Thieves

File # 2009-16628, 2009-07-09, 13:04 PDT

In the early morning hours of May 30^th, an alert resident of Belcarra heard a local mailbox being damaged and immediately called police. Thanks to the resident's quick action Coquitlam RCMP were able to respond in time to collect key evidence and identify a suspect.

Over the next several days, the Coquitlam RCMP Prolific Target Team (PTT) located the suspect, observed her activities, found that she was working with a partner, and linked the pair to other fraud-related activities in the region. Working with investigators from Canada Post and the banking sector the PTT definitively linked the pair to a number of other crimes and they were arrested on June 6^th.

During the arrest, police seized more than 2,000 pieces of stolen mail, along with credit cards and other identification some of which has been traced to auto thefts, locker break-ins, and thefts from mailboxes throughout the Lower Mainland.

Burnaby residents Clifford Walter HEGGS, 77, and Lorna Colleen RUUD, 43, are facing an array of charges including possession of forged cheques, fraud, possession of stolen mail, possession of credit card data, possession of stolen credit cards and possession of break in tools.

Coquitlam RCMP are grateful for the quick action taken by the initial witness and remind all citizens that reporting crime & suspicious activity is vital to public safety. If you SEE someething... SAY something.

For more information on mail security, visit Canada Post online.

Please note that all items recovered at crime scenes are processed as evidence. Details of specific items recovered cannot be disclosed while the investigation is ongoing and items cannot be returned to their rightful owners until the end of the investigation. If your property is among the items recovered, you will be contacted at the conclusion of the investigation to retrieve it.

-30-

Released by:
Cst. Brigitte Goguen
Office: 604-945-1580

RCMP Advisory –– Cheque Overpayment Fraud

The Coquitlam RCMP Fraud Section has been notified of an increase in Cheque Overpayment Frauds in the Lower Mainland. Several of these incidents victimized residents of the Coquitlam RCMP’s jurisdiction. Please read the RCMP Advisory to protect yourself.

Residential Alarm Systems –– User Responsibility

Alarms are designed to protect lives and property. Properly installed, used, and maintained, alarms are a real asset. When misused, they become a liability. Each year, false alarms cost all of us millions of dollars and thousands of wasted response hours by emergency personnel. –– Every time an alarm goes off, it is like calling 9-1-1.

A false alarm means the activation of a fire alarm or security alarm system which results in the emergency service, either fire or police, not finding any evidence of fire, fire damage, smoke, criminal activity or unauthorized entry. User error is the number one cause of false alarms –– 76% of all "false dispatches" are caused by users of alarm systems.

In an effort to minimize the negative impact that false alarms are having on the level of policing services in Belcarra, the Coquitlam RCMP Detachment, in partnership with the Village of Belcarra, will be implementing a new False Alarm Reduction Strategy. This strategy is based on a "Verified Response", which means that there must be some form of verification that there has been an unwanted intrusion before the police will respond to alarms.

Be Responsible! –– Learn how to prevent false alarms!
Go to www.AlarmsBC.com for more information.

Contact Information:

Coquitlam RCMP Detachment, Non-Emergency Number: 604-945-1550
2986 Guildford Way,
Coquitlam, BC
V3B 7Y5

Front Office Hours:

Monday – Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Crime Prevention Hours:

Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

By Fax:

Radio Room (24 hours)
604-552-7305

General Duty/Traffic
604-552-7300

Burglary, Drugs, NCIS
604-552-7301

GIS, Frauds
604-552-7302

Crime Prevention Unit
604-552-7304

Court Liaison
604-945-1588

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