From Red Deer RCMP:

Red Deer RCMP are investigating a rash of recent break-ins to Red Deer schools where electronics were stolen, and are asking for public assistance in identifying the suspects and in reporting suspicious activity around schools in the community.

At approximately 1 am on November 27, West Park Elementary School was broken into; on November 29 a break-in was discovered at G.W. Smith School, and the next night, another attempted break-in at G.W. Smith School was not successful. And on November 30 just after 4:30 am, Mountview School was broken into.

Stolen electronics during these break-ins include:

  • approximately 10 laptops: Lenovo, Latitude 5480, a Chromebook
  • iPad, Apple TV, white Apple wifi router, iPhone and iPad chargers
  • Redcat classroom audio system
  • camera
  • black amplifier and speakers
  • projector with remote control, another multi-function remote control
  • desktop computer and monitor

Police are asking anyone who saw suspicious activity in these school areas or who might have knowledge of anyone trying to sell electronics under suspicious circumstances to report the activity to Red Deer RCMP.

“RCMP want to remind the public that the purchase of any item that they believe is stolen property is a crime,” says Corporal Karyn Kay of the Red Deer RCMP. “If you buy stolen property, you’re harming your community as a whole – you’re rewarding criminal activity and contributing to a spiral of increased property theft and other crimes that are linked to it, including stolen vehicles, drugs, weapons and violent crimes.”

If you have information about any of these investigations, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com. If your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000.

From Red Deer Public Schools:

Break ins at three Red Deer Public Schools targeting technology in classrooms are impacting students and learning in our schools.

Over the last week, three Red Deer Public Schools have been broken into and have had technology stolen. These electronics include laptops, Chromebooks, an Apple TV, a Redcat System, a projector and remote, iPads and more. GW Smith, Mountview Elementary and West Park Elementary have all been targeted.

In response to these break ins and thefts, Red Deer Public Schools has enhanced security and are working closely with the Red Deer RCMP, who we have a great relationship with.

“We are concerned about the impact of these break ins. We lose valuable technology and this comes at a cost to the District and each school,” said Stu Henry, Superintendent of Red Deer Public Schools. “We also know that having your classroom broken into affects our students and staff deeply. One of our pillars is safe and caring schools and we strive to ensure that our spaces are a safe environment for all students.”

We know break ins as well as thefts are a huge community issue and Red Deer Public Schools is not immune.

“Technology is an integral part of day to day learning and these thefts impact children’s abilities to learn,” said Henry. “Schools are about teaching and learning and ensuring that technology is easily accessible in the classroom for our students is paramount.”

Staff in Red Deer Public Schools have increased their process of locking up and securing electronics. Motion sensors are also located in many classrooms throughout our schools.

Our schools are located in neighbourhoods, so we count on our neighbours to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity by contacting the Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575, Crime Stoppers or one of our schools.