Most worksite losses due to crime are never reported – an issue Constable Glenn Rowley of the Crime Prevention Unit of the Calgary Police Service will speak to at the February 23rd, 2012 Builder Breakfast.

Currently the numbers of jobsite losses reported to insurance companies are much larger than those reported to the police, says Rowley. 

Although some crimes may seem meaningless, it is important to report them, Rowley says.  “Whenever you are the victim of a crime, or you are a witness to crime, it’s crucial to notify the police as soon as possible. This enables better tracking of criminal activity in order to identify crime trends and to best respond to them.”

The task of reporting crime is now easier.  Members attending the Builder Breakfast will be walked through of the process of reporting particular crimes online. Rowley will also detail which crimes are eligible to be reported online and which require immediate action from the Calgary Police.

Greater participation in crime reporting from the industry will result in a greater response from officials. Statistics of crime will be more accurate, responses will be gauged accordingly and the reported crime could help to prevent other linked occurrences from taking place in the future.

Crimes are still happening in the field, says Lindsay McAlister, project manager for Streetside Development Corporation. The company had a recent incident at one of its developments in the north central area of the city. Neighbours reported strange people on the site after hours and 911 was called.

“They were found on site, they ran but were caught by the police,” says McAlister. “But since there were no witnesses that actually saw them in the unit, they could only be charged with trespassing.”

The fully-framed unit was 95 per cent roughed in – and the damage was more than $1,000, he says. Copper wires were pulled out of walls, cut and rolled up ready to transport. Copper wires are commonly used for meth drug use or are sold for their rising value.

The company now has security there and at other sites – an added cost to construction of housing.

The Builder Breakfast will also feature a segment from the City of Calgary Development and Building Approvals. The new, comprehensive site safety program will be covered in regards to what has already changed on the multi-family side, and what can be expected by single-family builders when the safety surcharge is applied.

Breakfast and registration are from 6:45 a.m. to 7:10 a.m. Presentations occur from 7:10 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Glenmore Inn & Convention Centre. Registration deadline is Tuesday, February 21st, 2012.

To register Click Here.