April 16, 2009
Langley Community Partners and Canada Post Working Together to Combat Mail Theft and ID Fraud
Langley is a high risk zone for property-related crimes including theft of mail, but Langley community leaders and Canada Post are working together to combat this serious crime, and they are all asking for the public’s help.
Langley MP Mark Warawa convened a meeting with Canada Post, municipal leaders from the City and the Township as well as RCMP Superintendant Janice Armstrong to discuss the issue of mail theft and ID fraud, and plan a multi-faceted approach to the issue in Langley. “While much is going on to combat this problem, the most important factor discussed around the table is community involvement; we need people to be more vigilant and look out for your neighbours,” says Warawa.
Superintendant Armstrong told the meeting that from August 2008 through March 2009, there have been 100 incidents of mail theft throughout Langley with hot spots identified in Aldergrove and Walnut Grove. Thieves are mostly prying open superboxes. Police have recently arrested seven people for mail theft and identity theft. As a result, the frequency of mail theft has declined in Langley.
“We are seeing results from enforcement, but we need the public to also assist us,” says Armstrong. “Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding their mail, their property and their identity. We have to focus on education, awareness and what steps the public can take to protect itself. Canada Post has been working diligently to make their boxes secure and have been working closely with police to identify, arrest and prosecute mail thieves.
“Canada Post is responding to this threat, and increasing its efforts to ensure the security of the mail,” says Colleen Frick, Canada Post Director of Communications. “We are installing high security locks on mailboxes, tightening the security of mail keys, increasing security awareness amongst our employees and our customers, and are currently testing anti-pry devices on 500 community mail boxes.”
Federally, MP Mark Warawa is pleased with the Conservative governments’ recent re-introduction of tough legislation that will target identity theft. “This legislation will provide police with the tools they need to protect Canada’s families, seniors, and businesses from the numerous harms of identity crime.” (see background information)
Municipally, Township Mayor Rick Green and City of Langley Councillor Rudy Storteboom both confirmed that their planning departments would work diligently with Canada Post to ensure that designs for safer community mailbox locations would be adopted in new developments and the security needs of Canada Post would be met when it comes to delivery planning.
“Local government is going to do what we can, the public has to be more diligent, the police are making headway and Canada post is taking action. I am very pleased our community has come together to address this very serious crime issue,” says Green.
City of Langley Mayor Peter Fassbender called the meeting “another example of how all of us can work together to prevent crime and that is what ‘Community’ is all about.”
