BIAs team up with Crimestoppers with new sticker campaign to curb crime
A recent uptick of crime and vandalism in downtown Windsor over the past few weeks has many business owners looking for solutions, and Crime Stoppers of Windsor Essex thinks it may have one.
Crime Stoppers is teaming up with business improvement associations across Essex County with a sticker campaign to get the word out that Crime Stoppers can be part of the solution.
“In particular, we're working with the downtown Windsor BIA, because criminal activity within their boundaries has been increasing lately, unfortunately,” said Denise Pelaccia of Crime Stoppers.
She’s hoping business owners — especially restaurants — will hang a special sticker in washroom stalls to allow people a moment in a quiet, safe, secluded space to make a call that could serve as an important tip.
“Our program does work, and it works because you stay anonymous and your tip is used you can earn cash, and you also don't have to be called to court,” Pelaccia said.
Businesses like La Vern’s Market in downtown Windsor have been the target of smashed windows numerous times over the past few months, which has been more of an aggravation and nuisance since the suspect, who was arrested last week, (insert hyper link to story), stole nothing but butter tarts.
”It's actually been more so upsetting to see that type of action being happening like happening in downtown Windsor, knowing that it's such a good environment,” said Adam Eissa, who works as a cashier at La Vern’s Market.
Many other business owners have requested a sticker and think this campaign is a good start.
“I think that it'll help the employers out that are more so on the on the shy side and don't want to have to call the police when incidents are happening,” said Eissa. “So I'm guessing it'll give them more of like an open light on how to take action against these different problems.”
“We have a long way to go. We're gonna need a lot of different things in place and as BIA and I have all the members downtown I'm sure we'll come up with some other things that can help with the downtown crime,” said Misty Sergi, who owns the Gifting Tree.
“I don't have big hope in this and actually this is just an experiment I hope going to help other people for us now is doesn't mean big, big change,” said Ljubica Cajan, whose variety store on Ouellette Avenue had it’s window cracked recently.
Downtown Councillor Renaldo Agostino says it’s one small strategy of many he’s exploring that can help curb crime.
“The more calls the more intention we get, because it's a numbers game,” said Agostino. “And if businesses and residents of downtown Windsor report crimes or report sightings or report things, that means that it rings the bell for the police department to say hey, we have to pay attention to this area.”
Agostino wants to normalize the concept of residents and business owners calling authorities because the call can also help in other ways.
“Very often is people just don't call right, but don't look at it as calling to report a crime. Look at it as calling someone for help. Not just help for yourself, but maybe somebody else who needs help out there.”
To get a Crime Stoppers sticker, business owners are urged to contact their respective BIA.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Saskatchewan households will continue to receive carbon tax rebate: Trudeau
Households in Saskatchewan will continue to receive Canada Carbon Rebate payments, despite the province refusing to remit the federal carbon price on natural gas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
'It's just so hard to let it go': Umar Zameer still haunted by death of Toronto police officer
“It's just so hard to let it go. I mean, everyone is telling me, ‘you have to move on,’ but I know someone is not here [anymore]. So I don't know how I will move on." That’s what Umar Zameer, the man recently acquitted in the death of a Toronto police officer, told CTV News Toronto in a sit-down interview on Tuesday.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.