Police want public to play a part in protecting property in the community

The South Bruce OPP is urging the public to play a role in reducing property crimes in the community.
Acting inspector Wayne Thompson, detachment commander, and constable Kevin Martin, community services officer, held a press conference this morning (Dec. 29) with the local media, asking people to keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles and/or suspicious individuals in their community, and report them to the police.


South Bruce OPP constable Kevin Martin (L), community services officer, and acting inspector Wayne Thompson, detachment commander, outline Ontario's Mobilization and Engagement Model of Community Policing which has prompted the call for the public to help reduce property crime in the community

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"Property crime in the South Bruce OPP coverage area has increased by 16 per cent in 2014 and now tops the list of occurrences in our area," said Thompson, "and the major increase has come from thefts under $5,000."
Property crimes include break-and-enter, theft over $5,000, theft under $5,000, theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods, fraud, mischief (vandalism), and identity theft and fraud.
Prompted by this hike in property crime incidents, and Ontario's Mobilization and Engagement Model of Community Policing - a provincial government initiative - the South Bruce OPP is now urging the public to help make the community safer by keeping an eye out for anyone or any vehicle that shouldn't be in the neighbourhood.
"You know who belongs in your community and who doesn't," said Thompson. "Contact the police with that information, report a suspicious car and give us the licence plate number, and we'll do the rest."
"We can't be everywhere," added Martin, "but the citizens can be, and we want them to report suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods."
Thompson said there will be neighbour disputes in which one will report the other, but the police are prepared to address those issues.
When asked about possible criticism that the police aren't doing their job, Thompson replied that it's the public's community too. "What kind of community do you want? Preferably, a safe one. The community is the police, and the police are the community; we have to work together.
"If you see any suspicious activity, a suspicious vehicle or person, let us know at the time it's happening," said Thompson. "Call the 24-hour, toll-free line at 1-888-310-1122, and we'll get an officer there."
He stressed that the intent is not a vigilante attitude. "Just get us the information and we can take care of it."
When asked about resurrecting the community policing program or Citizens On Patrol (COP), Thompson said often this type of program starts out well but then runs short of volunteers, plus there is an issue with liability.
He added that, contrary to popular belief, not all crime happens at night.
"A lot of break-and-enters happen in broad daylight," he said. "People are working 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the kids are in school, so nobody's home during the day."
He said often suspicious people will knock at the door to see if anyone is at home, and if not, it's a perfect opportunity to commit a property crime.
"If you're going to be away, have a neighbour check on your house, and collect your mail and newspapers," said Thompson. "This is also a good time to get to know your neighbours."
"We're not telling people to do the work of the police, but to help keep their neighbourhoods safe," said Martin.
He offered the following home security tips:

• When you move to a new home, you should change or re-key the locks immediately
• Always keep your front door locked
• Keep screen doors locked whenever your main door is open
• Never ignore a knock at the door
• Garage doors leading directly into the home should be kept locked at all times, even when you are in the house or backyard
• Chain locks are NOT recommended as security for doors; instead, invest in a peephole which allows you to look out but does not allow the person to see inside
• Limit the size of accessible window openings; if they are being used for ventilation at night, install a securable window-stop
• Lock ladders to the house, fence or inside a shed or garage; unlocked ladders can be used to gain entrance through a second-storey window
• Be sure second-storey windows are closed and locked when you are not at home; patio furniture has been used as a stepladder to gain access to upper levels of the home
• Trim hedges below the window level to eliminate hiding spots for criminals
• Make sure that outside lights are in good working order
• Engrave an identifying mark on your property; this makes it easier for police to identify and harder for criminals to sell
• Keep objects with sentimental value in a place no one would suspect when not in use
• Take inventory of your property; use photos or videos and/or DVDs
• Lock your vehicles at all times, even when in the garage, so access cannot be gained by intruders; secure bicycles by obtaining the serial numbers and/or identifiers then registering your bicycle with your local police service
• Keep your vehicle keys out of sight and in a location where no one would look for them
• When new items, such as TVs, stereos or computer equipment, are purchased, be sure to fold the cardboard box inside out before placing in the recycling; this means your new purchases won't be advertised to anyone on the street
• Don't allow strangers into your home
• Know your neighbours
• Make sure that your home always looks lived in (e.g. newspapers/flyers picked up, grass cut, snow shovelled, etc.)
• When leaving a message on your phone or answering machine, do not indicate that you are not home