November 3-9, 2013, has been designated Crime Prevention Week in Ontario. As in past years, the Ontario Provincial Police ( OPP ) will promote an emphasis on crime prevention and community safety during this annual event.
It is an opportune time for the OPP to highlight successful partnerships with the communities they serve and work together to prevent crime. It is through local partnerships and engagement that communities are able to develop an effective, multi-sectorial approach to crime prevention and build a stronger and safer community.
In light of this initiative, the OPP will be collaborating with schools and day care centres in order to connect with our youth, build positive relationships to reduce victimization and to reduce youth involvement in criminal activity. Presentations will be conducted throughout our schools to educate our youth about the negative effects of bullying, Cyber bullying, and how to get help in emergency situations using the Block Parent Program.
Throughout the week, the Auto Theft Prevention Program “Lock it or Lose it” will be in effect and vehicles parked in a variety of locations will be checked to confirm that they are locked and that no valuables have been left in plain view. This will be followed up with a small notice placed on every vehicle checked, indicating what safety precautions were neglected and offer a few simple prevention tips to protect against theft.
The OPP would like to remind everyone that we can all do our part to make our community safer. Crime Stoppers engages the cooperative efforts of the community, the media and the police in the fight against crime. The province wide program, which promises anonymity, encourages the public to call by telephone or submit a tip securely online with information concerning crimes that have been committed, are in progress or are about to be committed.
As a direct result of information received from the public, more than 118,035 arrests have been made along with the recovery of stolen property in excess of $294 Million. In addition, illicit drugs with a street value of $1.73 Billion have been seized and will never be sold in your community, thanks to the collaboration of the public and the Crime Stoppers Program.
You may contact Crime Stoppers from anywhere in Ontario at 1-800-222-8477, or by leaving an anonymous Web-Tip at TipSoft-Web Tips Submissions.
“By educating communities and being proactive in the reduction of crime, the OPP remains dedicated to eliminating the opportunity for crime in support of the OPP’s vision of Safe Communities – A Secure Ontario”, said OPP Staff Sergeant Mike Pilon.
For more information on Crime Prevention Week activities in your community, please contact your local OPP Detachment.
