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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.