Smile, you’re on camera.
It can be easy to forget that many retail stores and businesses have surveillance cameras running 24/7, but a release from Langley RCMP this week on seven petty crimes — all captured on film — is a friendly reminder.
In Aldergrove, a man alleged to have stolen alcohol from the Fox & Hound Pub Liquor Store on Feb. 15 is shown by surveillance wearing a beige jacket and black jeans, and was seen getting into the passenger seat of a black, older-style pickup truck with a canopy.
Then on March 1, a man and woman alleged to have used counterfeit US money to make a purchase at Wholesale Sports in Langley were seen leaving in a maroon Jeep.
On March 13, a man was seen entering the referee room at Sportsplex, where he allegedly took a navy blue Burton ski jacket, a grey Under Armour jacket and a cellphone.
A man police believe to have used a stolen bank card to make purchases and cash withdrawals in Langley, is also captured on camera. The bank card was stolen from the owner’s purse sometime between March 10 and 13.
On March 16, two women were captured by cameras at Winners, where they allegedly stole clothing and pulled a knife upon confrontation outside the store.
On March 18, a man who is believed to have stolen several boxes of expensive moisturizer was pictured by cameras at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Walnut Grove, and then seen getting into a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox.
And also on March 18, Walmart cameras captured a man police believe to have stolen DVDs and clothing.
As video technology continues to improve, surveillance shots are becoming more and more effective, Langley RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Holly Largy told the Times.
“It’s actually really, really good.
“I would say it is very effective, particularly if the surveillance is installed properly,” she said.
“We get a ton of really good stuff now — really good pictures, the quality is getting better and better.”
In fact, thanks to the image quality, nearly 70 per cent of the pictured offenders are identified, she said.
“I put them all out on Twitter, and we get a lot of feedback on them,” Largy said.
Under Canadian privacy policies, stores using surveillance cameras are required to post signs at their entrance informing customers of their usage, along with a contact number to obtain footage of themselves, if requested.
The photos in question can be viewed on the Langley RCMP website at langley.bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Anyone with information on these seven crimes is asked to call Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting “BCTIP” and your message to CRIMES (274637), through the Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers Facebook page, or online at www.solvecrime.ca.