Olympic security tip: stay alert for pickpockets

One of the new security ads now on our system!

You may notice some new ads on the system, urging you to stay alert for pickpockets during the Olympic period.

Our Transit Police are hoping to let people know that professional pickpockets are expected at the Olympics—they tend to flock to international events on this scale.

“We don’t want people to be paranoid,” said Sgt. Mark Applejohn with the Transit Police. “But we’re coming from the angle that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

I asked Sgt. Applejohn if he had any tips, and he suggested that you keep your valuables close, and be aware of your surroundings, especially in large crowds.

He also said that pickpocketers tend to work in partnerships, with one person distracting you while another goes through your purse or pockets. One may take your wallet and pass it to a confederate before you’ve noticed.

“A well-known scheme in Europe uses young children to distract older people,” he said.

Pickpockets may also cut the straps of a purse or cut open the bottom of your bag.

“They’re extremely good at it, and that’s why to combat this kind of thing, we want you to be aware of what kind of things they do.”

Sgt. Applejohn also suggests that you do report any pickpocketing incidents to 604-515-8300—the Transit Police will act on it and won’t take it lightly.

A few other items….

There’s also a few other messages going up along with the pickpocket notices, such as:

• Separated from your party while on transit? Before you travel, come up with a plan in case this happens, especially if you have kids. Maybe you can get off at the next station, or your children might be advised to stay put in a meeting place. Remember you can use the security phones in the stations, and SkyTrain attendants and security staff will help get you all back together.
• Look out for unattended packages! Call the Transit Police if there’s something you want to report: 604-515-8300. Or you can send the Transit Police an anonymous text through their new Crimestoppers line in BC: text to 274637 and include the keyword “BCTIP”.

A few tidbits you might be interested in…

In tidbits today, the Transit Police have released their 2008 Report to the Community.

I have several tidbits on hand that I just haven’t been able to get on the blog in the past few weeks. So here’s a roundup post that has them all in one place.

• Rail Talk #3 is now online! If you don’t know, Rail Talk is a regular web conference hosted by Doug Kelsey, President and CEO of SkyTrain, where he responds to live questions from TransLink Listens panel members on SkyTrain’s current issues. The theme of this Rail Talk is Olympic transportation. (Go here for links to Rail Talk 1 & 2.)
• Our Transit Police released their 2008 Report to the Community a little while back. As Chief Ward Clapham describes, the report shows the continued development and scope of our young police service and the contribution they make to safety and security of the transit system and Metro Vancouver. Chief Clapham says he is proud of the initiatives and accomplishments of the Transit Police staff, particularly during this past year of rapid growth and change.
• The media section of the TransLink website now has its own RSS feed. (And more feeds for alerts and such are coming in phase 2 of development for the TransLink website this year!)

Transit police shave heads for charity

Transit police officers Cst. Keith Grace and Bernard Florido had their heads shaved for charity this weekend.

Our colleagues over at the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service sent along a note about two of their officers, who had their heads shaved for charity this weekend.

Cst. Keith Grace and Bernard Florido went down to an event called the Baldy Bash in Las Vegas, participating to raise money for PEP, an organization of professionals helping parents and families of very sick children.

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