The Calgary Police Service (CPS) has indicated that there’s been a surge in condo building lockbox thefts throughout the city as of late. 

These thefts are occurring to both SentriLock boxes and construction lockboxes.

This video shows how thieves are stealing lockboxes.

The CPS believes that working with the community and partner agencies is the most effective method of policing, and that education is one of the primary tools that can be used to fight against crime. Because of this CREB^® would like to share the following tips that will help you and your clients secure properties against lockbox theft.

• Secure lockboxes in a better way. Ensure lockboxes are secured to a fixed solid object. For condo buildings look at securing lockboxes inside the lobby.
• Report stolen lockboxes. Always report any stolen lockboxes to the police, along with details indicating which address has been compromised.
• Make lockboxes less visible. Ensure lockboxes are not visible from the street. Consider hiding lockboxes around the side of a property or somewhere less visible, and then email the REALTOR^® showing the property with the location of the lockbox.
• Be parkade smart. Don’t let vehicles follow you into condo parkades, and don’t leave keys in your car or leave your vehicle unlocked.

It should also be noted that of the 50 lockbox thefts over the past 5 months, 24 happened downtown and the majority are in apartment buildings. As mentioned earlier, both SentriLock boxes and construction lockboxes were taken in the recent thefts.

CREB^® will be working with the Calgary Police Service to facilitate presentations for any brokerages that would like more information on how they can stop these thefts from occurring.

If you would like to setup a presentation for your brokerage contact Sam Randhawa at sam.randhawa@creb.ca.