Reporting crimes and providing information about crimes in a timely manner greatly assists the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) in solving and preventing crimes.
Recently the downtown area of St. Catharines has seen a marked increase in graffiti but police have received very few eyewitness reports, while the crimes are in progress.
Reporting crimes and providing information about crimes in a timely manner greatly assists the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) in solving and preventing crimes. Dont assume someone else has called.
For reporting purposes, crimes are considered as either emergencies or non-emergencies. Emergencies should be reported by calling 911. These include crimes that are in progress or about to happen, and ones that have resulted in serious personal injury, property damage, or property loss. Other criminal and suspicious activities are considered as non-emergencies and should be reported to the NRPS at 905-688-4111, press #1.
When reporting an emergency be prepared to give an accurate description of what your emergency is and your location, especially if you are calling from a mobile cellular phone. It will assist us in locating you as soon as possible.
Some examples of crime emergencies that should be reported by calling "911" are:
- Fights, sexual assaults, etc.
- Homicides
- Burglaries and robberies in progress
- Flashlight beam in a business or home, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
- Domestic violence
- Child and elder abuse
- Sounds of gunshots, screaming, breaking glass, explosions, alarms, etc.
- Graffiti and other acts of vandalism in progress
- Hit and run accidents with possible injuries
- Vehicles containing weapons or property not normally kept in vehicles
- Road hazards that require immediate attention to prevent personal injuries and property damage
- Missing person who requires special care or a child (dont wait 48 hours, does not apply in Canada)
- Persons seen doing the following should also be reported by calling 911:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Entering a neighbors home when the neighbor is away
- Forcing an entry of a home, business, or vehicle
- Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms that poses a threat to him/herself or others
- Removing property from a business, home, or vehicle, especially if the business is closed or the residents are away
- Carrying or wearing bloody clothing
- Struggling with a resisting child
- Trying to or actually using a vehicle to pick up a person by force, especially a child.
Together we can all make a difference.
