Pro-Active Theft Initiative By Perth County OPP

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) In the past few weeks Perth County OPP officers have taken a pro-active approach to the “Lock it or Lose it” campaign. Regular OPP officers accompanied by Auxiliary officers canvassed neighbourhoods in St.Marys, Mitchell, Listowel and Perth East while on foot and on bicycle. They specifically checked for unlocked cars, open garage doors, poorly lit homes and other obvious factors that made residences easy targets for thieves. These patrols occurred during evening and night time hours.

In all four of the canvassed communities officers also knocked on doors and spoke to homeowners about “target hardening” their properties. This included discussion on simple ways to make homes and belongings less inviting for criminals. Many residents were surprised to have officers attend at their homes asking if they were aware that their garage door was open, that there was a bicycle on the front lawn or that their car window was down.

As part of this initiative officers logged some 100 hours of foot patrol, 40 hours of bicycle patrol and 17 hours of vehicle patrol. During these hours 147 homeowners were spoken to about “target hardening” their properties, 242 vehicles were found insecure (5 had keys left in the ignition) and 116 garage doors were found open. In addition, a male was arrested for being out late at night while being under a court imposed curfew and a male was arrested for being wanted in another jurisdiction.

“It is my hope, that this extra step my officers have taken, will be an eye opening experience for some of the residents in the communities we patrol”, says Inspector Steve Porter of the Perth County OPP. “My officer’s findings are not surprising, but hopefully their discussions and helpful advice to residents will promote a change in behaviours. It takes very little effort to make our homes and belongings safer. Closing garage doors at night, illuminating homes, and locking our cars are just some of the simple ways we can protect our families. Let’s all do our part in making our communities safer”.

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