SAFEGUARD YOUR COTTAGE AND SECURE YOUR PROPERTY
(TEMAGAMI, ON) – One of the biggest areas of concern in the Municipality of Temagami is the increase of cottage break and enters, thefts, and damage that have occurred this year.
The Temiskaming and Temagami Detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with the Temagami Lakes Association and the Temagami Lake Watch Program are working together to reduce these crimes.
Cottage break and enters, damage and theft are serious concerns impacting police, cottage owners, the cottagers association and insurance companies. The OPP encourages crime prevention at the cottage in support of local cottagers’ associations and Cottage Watch initiatives across Ontario.
Local residents can assist police. All suspicious matters need to be reported and obtain as much information as a possible. This includes physical descriptions, clothing descriptions, vehicle descriptions (licence plate), island numbers and the area where they were last seen. Note the direction that the suspects are heading.
Operation Identification is a property marking initiative designed to help discourage the theft of valuables by facilitating the identification of recovered stolen property. Thieves like to target the easy to carry items so that it doesn’t hinder their movement.
One easy way to help discourage theft of these items is to etch them with an identifying number such as your vehicle licence plate number or to use a tool similar to the TRACE pen. This pen is a personal anti-theft marking system which helps individuals protect their property. TRACE pens have tiny discs, about the size of a grain of sand and each hold a unique personal identification number, linking your property to you within a global database. The use of the TRACE pen allows police to positively identify when an item is stolen, when labelled with the TRACE pen. This anti-theft tool is already being utilized in the Temagami area and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police approves and supports its use with the goal of reducing property theft in Ontario.
The cottagers association encourages cottage owners to use these pens, to assist Police in locating your stolen items. When you identify your property with the TRACE pen, police are then able to access the database when they suspect property is stolen.
In association with this, it is always a good idea to copy down a list of the serial numbers of all electronic devices, tools, generators and to keep this list in a secure area as these numbers can assist in investigations.
These are just a few of the many suggestions in helping preventing crime and keeping your property safe.
Remember to assure your safety at all times. Contact police immediately and do not tamper with the crime scene as valuable evidence can be lost.
Please visit the OPP website for more information on Operation Identification or Safeguard Ontario Property Security Program for helpful tips to safeguard your home and secure your property at: www.opp.ca or contact your local detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
The Crime Stoppers Civilian Board of Directors will pay up to $2000 for any information leading to an arrest. Callers do not have to give their name and do not have to testify in court. Calls are never traced or taped. Call the Tri-Town Region Inc. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. (TIPS)
Contact
Constable Jennifer SMITH
Community Safety Officer
Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police
Phone: (705) 647-8400