Transit Police Targeting Crime with Plain Clothes Unit

Transit Police’s plain clothes Crime Reduction Unit is targeting criminal activity with special projects throughout the Lower Mainland’s transit system, helping to enhance safety and security for transit riders.

The type of crime they are targeting is often committed by repeat offenders and often plain clothes officers can witness crimes in action. Recently Transit Police had received information about a male stealing from and damaging parking ticket vending machines at Scott Road Station.
Members of the special unit set up at the Scott Road Skytrain Station on Monday, January 11, 2010.

They observed a male tampering with a parking ticket vending machine at approximately 0900 hrs. and made the arrest. When questioned by officers, the male who was an admitted heroin addict indicated to Transit Police that he had spent considerable time in prison, where he claimed to have learned how to tamper with the parking machines.

“Unfortunately, crimes of this type are often committed by drug addicted individuals many of whom are repeat offenders, says Chief Officer Clapham of the Transit Police. “By targeting this kind of activity and making arrests we are always hopeful that the justice system will find ways to ensure offenders  receive the substance abuse treatment and other help they require so that what is often a cycle of crime can be stopped.” 

Transit Police remind the public to report any non emergency incidents on the transit system to 604-515-8300 or Crime Stoppers.

Text Information on Criminal Activity to: 274637
Include the Keyword: BCTIP

Cst. Marlene Batiuk
Transit Police Media Relations
778 773 2309