Three new initiatives being introduced to North Battleford area residents include preventing catalytic convertor theft with the “You Etch. We Catch It” program; a safe space for people to meet up to buy/sell/trade goods called the “Safe Internet Exchange Zone;” and a daily routine for protecting your home from property crime called the “9 p.m. Routine.”
The programs are thanks to a partnership with the City of North Battleford, North Battleford Fire Department and a number of local businesses as well as Battleford RCMP.
With the launch of the theft prevention program called “You Etch It. We Catch It”, it will be harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic convertors. Through the program, participating local businesses can engrave the last eight digits of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN) onto its catalytic converter for free when you get your car serviced. Similar programs have been put in place in Kindersley and Warman.
Catalytic convertor theft continues to be an issue across the province. Saskatchewan RCMP has received 174 reports of catalytic converter thefts in RCMP jurisdiction so far in 2022, compared to 135 in the same time period in 2021.
If you’re buying, selling or trading items online in the Battlefords area, you now have a safe, designated area to meet thanks to the introduction of the Safe Internet Exchange Zone Program. The designated safe area is the first of its kind in North Battleford. Similar programs have been put in place by Saskatoon Police Service and Prince Albert Police Service. The Safe Internet Exchange Zone is situated in the parking lot of the North Battleford Fire Department on 104 Street. The zone, which is monitored 24/7 by video surveillance, has two designated parking spaces that are reserved for these exchanges.
The 9 p.m. Routine encourages residents to follow a nightly routine to ensure their property is locked up and safe. Ensuring your home and vehicle doors and windows are shut and locked – the idea is to do this at a designated time every night to form a habit, securing your sheds and outbuildings, putting away items that could tempt thief or vandalism, including fuel or large tools, remove spare keys, garage door openers, electronics and other valuables from vehicles and if you have home security, turn it on.
