Guide Helps Keep Retail Safe

Toronto Police has partnered with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) to launch a safety guide aimed at keeping businesses across the province safe.

“As with all forms of crime, including those directed at our retail business sector, the ultimate goal is prevention,” said Superintendent Don Belanger at a news conference at police headquarters on October 21. “Crime prevention is a shared responsibility and we are proud of the collaboration that makes this toolkit for our retailers a reality.”

Belanger acknowledged Community Partnerships & Engagement Unit members Sergeant Wendy Drummond and Constable Arjinder Gill for their role in preparing the guide.

“The creation of this guide reflects our collective commitment to the safety and security of those in the retail sector as well as community members who visit retail establishments,” he added.  “This represents another example of our Service’s commitment to community-based and community-led partnerships aimed at making our city as safe as it can be.”

The guide provides practical guidelines and resources to help businesses.

They are reminded to be less vulnerable to crime, identify and select an appropriate response to address retail crime, outline methods to prevent and address the most common and severe forms of retail crime and review techniques to address abusive customers, suspicious, intoxicated and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Paul Pedersen, the OACP Executive Director, said collaboration between law enforcement, businesses and consumers is critical to making communities safer and more prosperous.

“We understand that businesses that are prosperous are the economic engines of our communities,” he said. “Safe workplaces enable thousands of Ontarians to work in workplaces that protect them and their livelihoods and ensure they get home to their families and loved ones safely. For businesses, retail crime results in significant financial losses which ultimately affect pricing, employee security and even the local economy.

“But beyond the immediate losses, these crimes undermine trust in our communities. To combat this, businesses need to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement by sharing information, reporting incidents promptly and adopting crime prevention measures such as surveillance security protocols.”

Pedersen said that reporting suspicious activities, spreading awareness and fostering a community driven approach to safety can go a long way in deterring criminal activities.

“When citizens and businesses support police efforts, it helps officers focus their resources effectively, leading to faster response times and better overall protection,” he pointed out. “Our message is clear. Combatting retail crime in Ontario requires a united front. Police, businesses and consumers must collaborate, share intelligence and build a culture of mutual trust and vigilance. By doing so, we can reduce crime, improve our community safety and ensure that our local businesses thrive.”

Rui Rodrigues, the Retail Council of Canada Executive Advisor for Loss Prevention & Risk Management, said retail crime is on the rise.

“The guide is not a one-stop shop and our ability to say to small businesses we are done helping you,” he said. “This is a way for experts to respond to small businesses who may not have the resources of some bigger companies with support from internal people to help them with their security and safety measures.”

The toolkit, said Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) President and CEO Jody Young, is a proactive measure against the rising of retail violence.

“It serves as a beacon of safety, guiding retailers to safeguard their employees against potential harm,” she noted. “It is a testament to WSPS’s dedication to creating a secure, healthy and safe work environment. Our priority is the health and safety of Ontario workers. This toolkit embodies our resolve to protect them from workplace violence and ensure their well-being.”

The Ontario Retail Safety and Security guide is available online on the Retail Council of Canada website.