Crime Prevention Tips

November 7, 2023

Crime Prevention Week provides an opportunity to highlight the successful collaborative efforts between police services and community organizations as they work towards the common goal of preventing crime and creating safe, resilient communities across Ontario.

The theme for this year’s Crime Prevention Week is Awareness, Engagement, Prevention. This year’s theme enables police services to promote awareness of ongoing crime trends, educate the public on preventative measures, as well as help to identify ways in which communities can engage with police-led safety initiatives.

Crime Prevention Tips

• Call 9-1-1 if you witness a crime in progress or a possible crime in progress (e.g., break and enter) or a dangerous situation.
• Anonymously contact Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes)
• Increase street visibility around your house so that neighbours and others can see if someone is in your yard or trying your door locks.
• If your home is on a corner lot, your risk of burglary increases, so be sure to take additional security precautions.
• Thieves prefer residents not to be home, so leave lights on, get your mail collected, and take other steps to make it look like someone is home.
• Thieves like easy pickings, so target harden your home with outside lighting, good locks, alarms, and other home protection devices.
• Reach out, volunteer, and participate in your community.
• Get to know your neighbours. When you see something suspicious, don’t hesitate to call the police – promptness promotes prevention.
• Anticipate - observe - report - participate - PREVENT