311

Local representatives that provide answers and generate requests for municipal services you may need.

Call: 311 on your phone
Text: no images, send to 311
Email: 311@citywindsor.ca
Online: 311online.ca
App: download at citywindsor.ca

Windsor Police Service

The official organization responsible for protecting and serving citizens.

For Non Emergency
Call: 519-258-6111
For Emergency Call: 911
Online: windsorpolice.ca

211

An info and referral service that provides Ontarians with reliable information on community.

Call: 211 on your phone
For Emergency Call: 911
Online: ontario211.ca

Legal Assistance Windsor

A team of local legal and social work professions to meet the needs of the low-income community in Windsor-Essex County.

Call: 519-256-7831
Online: legalassistanceofwindsor.com

Mobile Outreach Support Team (MOST)

Supports the needs of those who have mental health, addictions challenges and/or require housing support.

Call: 226-787-5724
Online: www.hdgh.org/MOST

Crime
Prevention
Through
Environmental
Design

• The most popular urban planning strategy for improving safety and well-being.
• Deters potential criminals by modifying urban environments.
• Based on the idea that human behaviour can be influenced by the surrounding environment.
• Strategies for the average citizen to learn and apply in their daily life.

Visibility

Your property should be designed so that you will notice people and behaviours that are not usual for your area.

1. Keep shrubs/foliage away from windows. This will ensure that good lines of sight are maintained, eliminating cover for people engaging in criminal behaviour.
2. “View corridors” such as streets leading to a park, trails that run along a treed area and sidewalks that adjoin homes will promote physical activity that naturally creates a sense of surveillance.

Lighting

A cost effective way to enhance the safety of your home or property. Ensure lighting of sidewalks, porches, access points, and other features.

Tip: Keep your porch light on at night! Windsor police have noted that lighting is often a better crime deterrent than a security camera.

Activity Generation

Encourage positive activity in your street and public spaces, such as yard sales, sports, and block parties. This discourages unwanted activities like vandalism and petty theft, since there will be more people around for
more time during the day.

Multi-unit Dwellings

Use the following guidelines:

1. Install an intercom system with different number from the residential number.
2. Install one-way viewing ports in apartment door.
3. Use parking permits and numbered parking spaces.
4. Use signage that will deter abnormal behaviour.

Security

Inform potential intruders that entry won’t be easy and that their presence will be noticed, acted upon, or challenged. Reduce unauthorized entry by:

1. Installing deadbolt locks with a minimum 1-inch throw.
2. Door locks should exist 40 inches from window / side light.
3. All windows should have a lock.
4. Sliding glass doors should have a secure lock on the inside.
5. Door hinges should be located inside the building.
6. Change keypad lock code for garage seasonally.

Landscaping

Take ownership by maintaining your space! Keep shrubs and trees trimmed to allow clear sight lines. Do not obstruct visibility to doors, windows, alcoves, access points, or address numbers and avoid tree canopies from obstructing light distributing from fixtures.

Territorial Reinforcement
Define the separation from public to private space.

1. Placing a row of low profile shrubs along your front yard can advise people to stay along the sidewalk.
2. Using different coloured or textured concrete on your driveway will differentiate between public and semi private space.
3. In multi-unit dwellings (especially on main floor units), decorating your front door or balcony shows others that they are entering semi-private space.

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Yes No

• Do you know all of your close neighbours names or generally recognize them?
• Do you know your neighbour’s street addresses?
• Do you call police when you observe suspicious vehicles or people?

MISCELLANEOUS

Yes No

• Are tool sheds and bikes kept locked at all times?
• Are ladders kept in locked areas?
• Does your premise have a burglary resistant safe, storage container, or hiding area for your valuables?
• Are important papers (will, insurance, passports, stocks, bonds, etc.) kept off site in a safety deposit box?
• Have you completed a video and written inventory of your valuables including serial numbers?
• Are valuables inscribed with an identifiable marking?

DOORS & LOCKS

Yes No

• Are exterior doors solid core with steel door frames?
• “Peep hole” on exterior door?
• Are sliding patio doors secured by an interior bolt lock?
• Do your deadbolt locks have the required minimum 1-inch throw into the door jam?
• Is exterior strike plate secured with 3 inches long screws?

WINDOWS

Yes No

• Do your windows have working locks?
• Are semi-permanent security bars or grills on basement windows?
• Have you considered window security film?

WHEN AWAY

Yes No

• Do you cancel newspapers while away?
• Are your trusted neighbours or friends made aware to monitor your property?
• Do you have your lawn/snow removal maintained?
• Are interior lights operated on timers?
• Do you have someone gather your mail?

GARAGE

Yes No

• Are garage windows secure to deny access at all times?
• Are garage door openers in vehicles parked outside of garage openly visible?
• When away for extended periods, is the garage door disconnected from the inside?
• Are hand tools, like hammers, drills, and pry bars, stored discreetly?

LIGHTING

Yes No

• Do you have motion activated exterior lights?
• Is there adequate illumination to prevent hiding near windows and doors?
• Is your house number clearly visible from the road at night?
• Have you considered energy efficient lighting applications which also assist in suspect identification?
• Are all walkways leading to the residence well lit?

   

ALARM SYSTEMS

Yes No

• Does your property have a security alarm system?
• Do all responsible persons know how to arm and disarm the alarm system?
• Does your system have a back-up power supply?

   

LANDSCAPING

Yes No

• Are trees trimmed to optimize eyewitness potential?
• Are spiny, thorny, or otherwise hostile vegetation around fencing and low level windows?
• Are trees trimmed or located as to not allow access to second floor?
• Can neighbours see into your backyard at least partially?
• If your property is fenced, are gates routinely locked?