Ontario Marks Crime Prevention Week 2019

As Ontario marks Crime Prevention Week 2019, the government is reminding citizens about how they can help prevent crime, while also urging them to stay vigilant and be cautious of fraud.

“While the police work hard to prevent crime and protect the people of Ontario each and every day, crime prevention does not rest on their shoulders alone. Everyone has a role when it comes to community safety,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General. “Crime Prevention Week provides an opportunity to increase awareness about how each of us can help prevent crime and keep ourselves and our communities safe.”

With the recent increase in reports of telephone scams across the province, people can help protect themselves, their family, friends and neighbours:

  • Take strict measures to keep personal information confidential and never share details like credit card, bank account numbers, or any other payment information over the phone or text.
  • Use caution when clicking on links sent to you via text when coming from unknown senders.
  • Have conversations with friends and family who are more vulnerable and possibly most at risk to fraud, such as elderly adults or teens.
  • If a suspicious call is received, hang up right away and contact your local police to report it. You may also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
  • Don’t respond to text messages from numbers that are not complete cell phone numbers or without verifying who the sender is.
  • Don’t call a phone number texted to you from an unknown person.
  • Use caution on free offers or notifications of winning a prize. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

“We are proud that Ontario communities are among the safest in the world, but community safety and well-being takes hard work and collaboration. That’s why our police organizations work with the Government of Ontario, community organizations and businesses to promote Crime Prevention Week across the province,” said Chief Paul Pedersen, President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. “Together, we are preventing crimes and protecting people.”

Crime Prevention Week takes place November 3 to 9. Police services across the province will be hosting events to help raise awareness and keep people safe.

Dd You Know?

  • Crime Prevention Week takes place each year during the first full week of November.
  • This year’s theme is “Preventing Crime, Protecting People”.
  • The week-long promotion of crime prevention is supported by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ministry of the Solicitor General and police services across the province.
This Media Release