CRIME PREVENTION TIPS FROM THE OTTAWA POLICE

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS FROM THE OTTAWA POLICE


Thefts from vehicles is a crime of opportunity that increases as the weather gets nicer. As many locations are currently closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, thefts and other crimes of opportunity may also increase. Please consider these tips to help to reduce the likelihood of it happening to you or to anyone in your community.


General Tips related to thefts from vehicles:

  • Try to park in a well lit area, with pedestrian traffic;

  • Remove items from your vehicle, I recommend removing not just the valuable items such as GPS, but also the loose change left in the console/anything visible. Individuals will break into your vehicle for a single pair of sunglasses;

  •  Lock your doors, and keep the windows up

  • Don’t leave items that contain personal identification, vehicle registration or insurance certificates, or credit cards in your vehicle

  •  If you have a garage, use it. Lock your vehicle and the garage access points.

  •  If you park in a driveway, along-side your home, consider installing motion sensor lighting, to draw ones attention to the area when it turns on;

  •  Consider installing anti-theft devices.


    Apartment Building Security Tips:


    As a Tenant:

  •  You should always treat any entrance to your apartment building as if it were your own front door. Do not permit someone you don’t know to enter the building. If someone enters with you and you don’t recognize them, consider contacting the Superintendent/security;

  •  Before “buzzing” someone into the building, verify if you recognize the voice before letting them in, ask yourself if you were expecting anyone, use any lobby surveillance to determine who the person is before allowing them access;

  • Never prop open external doors;

  •  Be aware if someone follows you into the underground parking area, consider contacting Security or police if you don’t recognize them and feel they are up to no good;

  •  Always check the area when entering/leaving the parking garage;

  • Check your vehicle before you get into it, and once you are inside, lock your doors;

  • Report burned out light bulbs and broken locks in and around the building/parking garage to the landlord/property manager.

  •  Underground parking garages can give us a false sense of security. We all need to do our part. Tenants/owners need to wait until the garage door is closed before leaving or entering the garage.


    HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CALL:


    9-1-1 – Crime in Progress/Life Threatening Emergency
    613-236-1222 ext. 7502 – Non Emergency, but require police to attend
    613-236-1222 ext 7300 – To report over the phone
    www.ottawapolice.ca<http://www.ottawapolice.ca> – online reporting tool for the following incidents:
    •       Theft (excluding theft of passports)
    •       Lost Property (with a visible serial number or distinct marking such as a custom engraving)
    •       Mischief/Damage to Property
    •       Theft from Vehicle
    •       Traffic Complaints
    •       Drug Complaints
    •       Fraud Complaints
    •       Hate-Motivated Incidents
    •       Add information to an existing report

    3-1-1 – Non-compliance of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act ie: gatherings of over 5 people, usage of parks, playgrounds, non-essential businesses that are open, etc.

    Crimestoppers.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) – to anonymously report crime.


    FOR BUSINESS OWNERS/OPERATORS:


    OPS RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO INCREASE THE SAFETY OF YOUR BUSINESS
    The following are measures from the Ottawa Police Service that Ottawa business owners can take to increase security to their properties that are temporarily closed:

  •  Remove all valuables from store front displays. This will help mitigate smash and grab scenarios such as jewelry and electronic stores.

  • Remove all valuables such as cash from the till and leave open. Place the cash tray in plain view on the counter to signal there’s no money in the till.

  • Consider installing an alarm monitoring system. If one is already present ensure the contact list is up to date.

  •  Clearly post signage on the door/window to indicate premises is:

    •  Monitored by alarm company;

    • No money is kept on premises; and

    • Contact information for the police and business owner in the event a member of the public observes damage to property or suspicious activity.

  •  If the premise is closed for an extended period of time, clean all glass surfaces and create a tracking log of when cleaning was completed. This may assist investigators with suspect fingerprints if a break-in occurs.

  • Consider installing a surveillance camera system that can be monitored online by owner/management.

  • Consider using a laminate on all windows and glass doors to increase glass integrity from blunt force. Although damage to glass will occur in an attempt break in, it will greatly discourage or prevent entry.

  • Install latch guards on doors to protect against prying, this should include secondary doors such as employee and loading entrances;

  • Keep some lighting on inside for surveillance opportunities during the evening.

  • Ensure all doors are properly secured and regularly check all exterior lighting is functioning.

  • Remove material around the exterior of property that maybe be used to gain entry into the premises (brick, metal poles and construction materials)

    GENERAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES
    •       Keep the interior, front and rear entrances well lit.
    •       Keep advertising and merchandise out of windows as much as possible.
    •       Always keep the rear and side doors locked.
    •       Be sure your alarms are in good working order at all times.
    •       Do not open your place of business before or after regular business hours.

    The Ottawa Police have also launched targeted proactive patrol initiatives that are tailored to the new reality that the majority of the City’s businesses are now closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. OPS has identified sectors throughout the city with a high concentration of restaurants, small businesses and manufacturing industries and will provide an increased presence in those areas.

    MOST IMPORTANTLY  - IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. Lets help prevent crime.

Bank Street BIA