8 — Sunday, March 7, 1999 — North Shore News Don’t make it so easy for burglars ALL the security infor- mation and equipment in the world will be useless if a homeowner does not follow several important safety rules, Don’t bide a key around your house. A burglar knows where to look, and may find the key no matter where it is hidden. As an alternative, consider giving an extra key to a trust- ed neighbour. Don't put any personal identification on key rings. This way, if kevs are Jost or stolen, they cannot be traced to a residence. As an added precaution, if keys are lost or stoten, call a locksmith imme- diately to re-key the locks. Don't leave windows open when you are not at home, even if you are only leaving for a short while. An open window is an open invitation toa burglar to come in and help themselves. Don’t leave valuables like jewelry in the open. This is needless temptation to anyone casing the house for a bur- glary. Put valuables away out of sight. Don’t leave the doors unlocked or open, even if leaving for just a little while. Again, this is just asking to be burglarized. Make sure all tools, and ladders are put away. Everything should be stored in a locked garage or tool shed. Tools can be worth a considerable amount of money and can be easily taken if not locked up. & sound [fF vou leave a ladder out- side be sure to chain and pad- lock it. A ladder close at hand makes it cay fora burglar to climb to a second storey win- dow, a balcony or even the roof where it may be easier to break in. Tools can also be used to facilitate entry by a burglar. A simple serewdriver or hammer can be used to pry open or break a window or a door. At night, leave yard lights on. A light makes it dificule for someone to break in through doors or windows without being seen by neigh- bours or police patrolling the neighbourhood. For more information on crime prevention, visit your local community policing office. There are three in North Vancouver: 3rd & Lonsdale (990-7465); Lynn Vallcy Centre (990-7475); and 3077 Woodbine Ave., Edgemont Village (990-7455). Jf you have any questions, com- ments, or ideas for future arti- cles, you can send an e-mail to me at or write to me at Home Security c/o The North Shore News. THE following is a list of recent North Vancouver RCMP reports: February 18 1. 1500-bik. Columbia Street Thett of vehicte. A 1980 Wells Cargo trailer with Alberta plates was stolen. It is a large souvenir-type portable concession stand used for entertainment events. The trailer says “SAS conces- sions” on rear door. Contact Const. Chang, file #99-5178. - 2. William Griffin recCentre parking lot Property found. Found: baby seat, umbrel- la, jacket, kids toys and several other small items. Contact Const. Veenstra, file #99- 5181 to deseribe and claim itenis. February 19 3. 1300-blk. Main Street Mischief. Unknown suspects threw tocks through the window of a business. Alarm activated. 4. 100-bik. Riverside Drive Break and enter. Suspects gained entry through main compound. Stolen: four cases of motor oil, six bottles brake fluid and six bottles gear lubricant. Value approximately $250. 5. 200-blk. West 16th Street Trimmings Col Break, enter and theft. Suspects gained — entry through an open patio door. Stolen: 45 CDs, value $400. February 20 6. 1800-blk. Kilmer Park Mischict. Unknown suspeet(s) threw a hard object at a B.C. Transit bus while it was travelling on its route. The object, possibly a rock, shattered a window of the bus. No one was hurt. Police continue to investigate. Dempsey, 7. 400-bik. Hendry Avenue Recovered stoien auto. Vehicle tound in school yard when a silent alarm was called in at the school. The vehicle, a. blue 1991 GMC is back on the North Shore and bundles, taking them to a composting facility to be Now that spring is here and the garden is beckoning, are you wondering what to do with all those hedge . trimmings and lawn clippings? !f so, here's a great idea - ‘the North Shore's Yard and Garden Trimmings * Collection Program. Starting March 1, those ; residents currently receiving curbside garbage pickup can put out an ualimited number of clear plastic " bags* or tied bundies of grass clippings, leaves and . flowers as well as plant, tree or hedge trimmings for pickup. :. Before 7:30 am on your regular weekly garbage and recycling collection day, put your yard and garden trimmings out in clear (uncoioured) plastic bags* or -tied bundles. Bundles should contain pieces no larger “than 3 inches x 3 feet and be tied with biodegradable string. The maximum weight for each bag or bundle is 20 kg (44 ib). A separate truck will pick up the bags Jimmy, had been stolen trom Burnaby on Feb. 18. The ignition was damaged. 8. 1300-blk. Tatlow Avenue Break, enter and theft. Suspects gained access by throwing a rock through a rear glass door. Homeowner discovered suspect in home after they heard glass break- ing. Suspect fled on foot. Stolen: VCR and headphones. 9. 900-blk. Marine Drive, Capilano Mall Theft. Female using payphone had purse snatch by" untdenti- fied male suspect. Victim chased male but lost sight of hin. Stolen: leather bag and cash. Police continue to inves- lection processed into a high quality organic soil conditioner. In 1998, this service greatly reduced the amount of valuable, compostable material sent to landfill and incineration - by 5,728 tonnes! For more information, please call: District of North Vancouver 990.3830 City of North Vancouver 987.7155 District of West Vancouver 929.3416 . _* Clear bags are avaiiable at many local grocery, ~ hardware, nursery and drug stores. For information on composting and grasscyeling, call the NSRP at 984.9730.