The City of Oshawa is calling on all community members to help make safer and cleaner neighbourhoods throughout the city.
“We encourage community members to report safety concerns, including loitering, garbage, graffiti, discarded needles and criminal activity,” said a city statement.
The collaborative reporting campaign –If you see it, report it! – calls on residents, businesses and community organizations to be part of the solution and to take action by reporting safety-related concerns, such as by-law infractions related to public nuisance and criminal activity.
Who do I report to? What should I report? Many non-emergency issues such as loitering, camping, garbage, graffiti, discarded needles can be reported to Service Oshawa. Additionally, the DRPS has a non-emergency number at 905-579-1520. Always call: 9-1-1 for emergencies and serious crimes in progress.
Learn more about when and who to contact below and visit our If you see it, report it!webpage.
Report criminal activity underway (e.g. vandalism to vehicles or property, including incidents of graffiti or drug-related activities underway).
Report incidents not criminal in nature (e.g. open alcohol consumption and/or drunk and disorderly, disruptive noise or suspicious persons).
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers:
- Call: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
- Online: www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca
Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being: Announced in early January, the Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being comprises representatives from Durham Regional Police Service, Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and social service agencies, as well as representation from the local business community, community partners and residents.
With the tagline “Community Action – Community Solutions”, the Task Force’s mandate is to work collaboratively with Oshawa City Council, staff and stakeholders to identify and propose opportunities that aim to address local issues affecting community safety, security and well-being.
“The City of Oshawa and Task Force are encouraging community members to be part of the solution. If you see or have a safety concern, we are asking you to please report it,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “We all have a role to play and by working together, we are building a better community for everyone.”
“There are many great ideas coming out of the Task Force and one of the first ideas was the need to communicate how to report safety concerns. As Chair, I am pleased to see the overwhelming response from our community to the ‘If you see it, report it!’ campaign!,” said Regional Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair, Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being.