Police program helps downtown Sudbury businesses mitigate risks
The opioid and homeless crisis in Sudbury has had some negative impacts on the downtown core. Now, the Greater Sudbury Police Service said it’s working with community partners and businesses to try and mitigate some of those issues, including focused patrols downtown.
Sgt. Matt Hall is the supervisor of the community response unit, which focuses on issues downtown.
“We work a lot with our community partners as we sit on lots of boards, committees and tables when it comes to the vulnerable person crisis issue that the community is going through right now with Memorial Park and other places downtown,” said Hall.
The service offers a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Program (CPTED). Officers consult with property owners on how to mitigate problems and crime.
“Outlines that could be for lighting, video surveillance of blind spots, sightlines into the business, having debris around the business being cardboard or pallets that people might use to burn,” said Hall.
The YMCA consulted with police through the program when it had some theft problems.
“Just by putting up signage, it did let people know that there had been thefts in our facility,” said Kendra MacIsaac, vice-president of health and wellness at the YMCA.
“So it notified our members to keep an eye out -- as well as those who might have been inclined to do these crimes to let people know that we were watching.”
Police have some advice for keeping alcoves secure: have security gates or some other structure to block alcoves if you have individuals doing unwanted things after business hours.
The Greater Sudbury Police said downtown patrols on foot, bike and vehicle have increased by 12 per cent in 2021.
So far this year, the service has consulted with 30 businesses on mitigating risks and crime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.