Alberta RCMP are encouraging residents to look at strategies that help to deter crime from happening at their homes.

Certain design choices or alterations to homes are said to help prevent criminal activity.

Recommendations include installing outdoor lighting like solar or motion sensor lights, keeping a well maintained yard so it's more obvious if something is out of place, and building a fence or installing a gate for those with rural driveways.

Bushes, particularly thorny ones, can act as a natural fence or barrier under windows, and trees should be kept trim so they don't impair vision across yards.

A security system or camera installation can assist in deterring thieves as well as signage on the property showing the premise is monitored by surveillance or local watch groups.

Plaques or signs indicating the homeowner's last name should also be removed from the property.

RCMP say if something is suspicious or something looks out of place it can be reported it to the local detachment's non-emergency line.

If a crime is in progress 911 should be dialled.

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