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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=4654 Export date: Tue Jul 23 8:19:43 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Shelburne Police instruct business owners on how to stay safe As part of the Ministry of Safety and Correctional Services mandate to keep Ontarians safe, the Ministry designated November 4th-November 8th Crime Prevention Week across Ontario and Shelburne Police didn't miss a beat hosting a number of special events and instructional safety seminars teaching Shelburnites how to protect themselves against crime. On Wednesday, November 6th, Constable Paul Neumann and Constable Cory Courtney hosted a seminar at Grace Tipling Hall strictly for Shelburne Businesses focusing on Crime Prevention through Environmental Design and Fraud Prevention. “I've been trained in Crime Prevention through Environmental Designs. Basically there are a lot of things businesses and homeowners can do regarding the environment to protect themselves against crime such as creating an environment unappealing to criminals,” commented Constable Courtney, “If you try and see things through a burglar's perspective, you can see how a few small preventative methods will make a lot of sense. Televisions placed inside the store where the thief can clearly see they are on film, might make someone think twice about robbing a place. Lights on timers and motion sensors are a great deterrent. Also, it's a good idea not to leave newspapers on driveways or have overflowing mailboxes giving the impression that no one has been at a home or business for a period of time. Keep expensive items in a clearly visible place, preferably close to the cash, and if you suspect a break in, please do not touch anything, just leave everything where it is and call 911 immediately. Don't waste time looking up the number of the Shelburne Police department. This is not an abuse of the 911 service, it's a quick time saving measure and we will get the message.” Constable Paul Neumann noted that while crime in Shelburne is not on the rise, the Shelburne Police Department would like to keep it that way and providing businesses with up to date tips on Fraud Prevention is one step towards that goal. Call 911: give police a change to catch the criminal. “Quick change artists are talented thieves who approach a cashier, compliment, then ask for smaller bills for a larger bill, professionally confuse the cashier who provides them with the change not realizing until the thief is gone that they kept the larger bill as well as the change,” explained Constable Neumann. “Once again, we are finding that business owners won't necessarily call police immediately and we encourage them to call as soon as they realize there has been wrong doing. It's not bothering us; it allows us to act quickly. We recommend business owners collect as many visual details as possible such as height, hair color, glasses, gender, skin color, clothes, tattoos, jewelry, what kind of car did they get into, were they driving, if they were a passenger, what did the driver look like, etc. No detail is too small really.” For those business employing students, Constable Neumann points out that the youngest, most inexperienced staff are likely to be targets, and business owners can teach all employees what to look for. “If a customer is nervous, using a credit card, impatient, not engaging in eye contact or conversation, I urge businesses to be careful and perform all the regular checks. If a customer is using a credit card to buy a bunch of gift cards, it's just something that can raise a flag, not necessarily a problem but something watch for because the credit card could be stolen and the thief may be looking for a quick way to make money, steal other things fraudulently,” explained Neumann. As a special reminder to Shelburnites, a tight knit community, Constable Neumann pointed out that when a business owner notices a teenager or young person committing theft, it's actually not doing the young person any favors by not turning them in and factually, by reporting them to the police, might be changing their lives in a positive step by getting their parents involved. One of the many businesses in attendance, Mr. Steve Bowles owner of Napa Auto Pro Auto Centre commented, “The presentation was very good. Well Done! I am disappointed in more local businesses not turning out. I wish businesses would have shown more support for Shelburne Police Department.” Sanjay Lekhi, owner of Shelburne Town Pharmacy commented, “I found this very informative. I learned privacy areas are not always such a good thing and also there was very good information regarding going overseas.” Owner of Shelburne Storage, Joe Bojin commented, “I found the presentation very interesting.” Perhaps the most poignant tip Constable Cory Courtney made that applies to all residents and is reflective advice, “Remember that money is just money and your life is far more valuable!” More wisdom imparted by the Shelburne Police department further instilling their commitment to keep Shelburne safe. By Alex Sher |
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Post date: 2013-11-14 18:27:03 Post date GMT: 2013-11-14 23:27:03 Post modified date: 2013-11-21 09:04:52 Post modified date GMT: 2013-11-21 14:04:52 |
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