ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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TOWN OF NEW TECUMSETH, ESSA & AJALA-TOSORONTIO TOWNSHIPS, ON - The Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have noticed an increase in daytime rural residential break and enters for 2019.
Police are asking rural residents to watch for suspicious activity. This can include strange vehicles pulling into driveways and then leaving quickly or strangers knocking on your door and then excusing themselves, stating they are at the wrong address if you answer the door.
Homeowners are encouraged to:
- Ensure their doors and windows are securely locked when they are away from their home. Although this seems obvious, many people still fail to do this.
- Avoid leaving anything outside that could be easily accessible and used by a criminal to gain entry to the home.
- Remove hiding locations. Criminals love to make an entry in a location that is poorly visible to others. By removing vegetation that makes it difficult for others to see around your home, you lower the risk that they can make a silent entry.
- Install an alarm or video surveillance system.
- Don't advertise your valuables. Close your shades or pull your curtains across the windows when you leave to avoid criminals being able to see inside the home.
Police are asking those who witness any suspicious vehicles or people around a residence to contact police immediately. Try and note the descriptions of the people as well as the vehicles and, if possible, obtain a license plate. It is also recommended that you let trusted neighbours know when you will be out of the house.
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