FROM THE CRUISER

Residents of the Town of Lockeport and immediate area:

“The RCMP’s “From the Cruiser” is now a quarterly report for each area so it will be issued every three months. Included within this report are police occurrences from January 1 to March 31, 2025 for the Town of Lockeport and immediate area. During this time frame, there were 43 calls for service. Below you will see the numbers for that time frame. As always, your local RCMP want to keep you all updated and discuss any policing concerns with you. On April 8^th, we held a Community Meeting in Shelburne that was very well attended with lots of healthy conversation regarding policing, safety and community involvement. I would like to hold a similar session in your area in May or June so please stay tuned for a date and place. There is much to be done and I ask that you reach out if you have any questions or concerns by calling the Shelburne Detachment. Next “From the Cruiser” will be in July which is the end of the Second Quarter for the year.

Regards,

S/Sgt Mark Mac Pherson

District Commander

Shelburne District RCMP”

During the Fourth Quarter, Lockeport and area received 43 calls for service:

• Assaults: Two (2) reported Domestic Violence assaults with both resulting in arrests and charges. NOTE: With a significant increase in Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (DV/IP) in Nova Scotia, the RCMP continue to have a Zero Tolerance policy regarding DV/IP. Female spouses/partners are still in the highest risk category for being the victim of DV/IP assaults and Statistics Canada indicates that  2 out of every 5 women will be the victim of Domestic Violence in their lifetime. If you need to talk to someone, please call the Nova Scotia Domestic Violence Support Line at 1-855-225-0220. If you are the victim of ongoing DV/IP abuse, please call 911 or reach out to the number provided to talk with a member of Transition House. Their site is: www.sheltersafe.ca
• Sex Assault: There were no Sex related offences reported.
• Harassment/Threats: Two (2)  reported with charges laid against a male subject in one instance and the other investigation is ongoing. NOTE: Often times these types of cases involve the use of Social Media. People are reminded of the caution you must exercise when communicating on Social Media. Parents, especially, need to manage their child/teen’s use of mobile/smart devices not only for threats or harassment but for such things as bullying and possible predators. A recommended site for parents to access is www.mediasmarts.ca which is Canada’s Centre for Digital Media Literacy.
• Break and Enters: Two (2)  reported during this time frame with one being a seasonal cottage broken into and appears someone slept there but nothing taken. The other was a break into a business whereby a silver SUV broke through a gate and attempted to steal a utility trailer. This investigation is ongoing and suspects have been identified.
• Mental Health Act: There were seven (7) calls for Mental Health Act for persons in crisis. In each of these cases, RCMP members respond to try to determine the level of crisis and the person is offered help and is often transported via EHS after the RCMP determine it is safe to do so. NOTE: If you or a family member/friend feel you are in crisis or going through a difficult time and your mental health is suffering, there are several support programs via Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions. These include:

-Community Support Service for Child and Adolescent

-Opioid Recovery Program

-Community Support Service for Adults

-Adult Community Mental Health and Addiction Services

-To access these services please call 1-855-922-1122 or visit www.mha.nshealth.ca/en/clinics/roseway-hospital

• Fraud: There were Two (2)  reported Frauds during this time frame and both involved Bitcoin Scams. With any and all financial dealings or transactions people and businesses are reminded to go through your banking institution for anything. For more or avoiding scams, please visit Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

• Theft:  There were no reported thefts aside from the attempted theft of utility trailer as mentioned above.
• Mischief/Interfere with Enjoyment of Property:  Five (5) reported incidents. Most of these involve arguments or disputes over property or vehicle related incidents. One report involved damage to a gate at a Nova Scotia Power substation where it appears a vehicle damaged a gate and then departed.
• Theft of Motor Vehicle: There were no reported thefts of Motor Vehicles during this quarter in 2025.
• Assistance/911: Nine (9) assist files, all of which were of a non-criminal nature.
• Well Being Checks: One (1) reported check.
• Motor Vehicle: There were five (5) reported motor vehicle related incidents whereby one person was arrested and charged for Impaired Operation after they struck a residence, two other minor injury motor vehicle collisions occurred and two erratic driving complaints. Aside from the Impaired operation charge, four Warnings and two Tickets were issued for other infractions.
• Structure Fire: There was one incident of a structure fire whereby the resident discovered that the home was on fire when they observed smoke and flames around the clothing dryer. RCMP responded and engaged the Fire Marshall who determined that the fire started in the dryer area as observed by resident. Nothing criminal.
• Firearms Act: There was one incident whereby a local resident reported hunters shooting at geese. RCMP responded to this occurrence but it was referred to the Dept of Natural Resources as it fell within the Wild Life Act for hunting.

The remaining files that are not itemized here were for such things as Municipal By-Laws, Check Points, Crime Prevention and other assorted calls of a non criminal nature.

Despite a low call volume in this area, residents are reminded to keep their property safe by reading the below noted tips for home and vehicle security.

For Vehicle Security:

• Lock you vehicle when it is unattended.
• Do not leave your vehicle running while you exit to complete errands.
• Never leave your keys in your vehicle overnight.
• Whether at home or in a parking lot, always park in a well lit area.
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle that are easily viewed from outside. If going for a hike or other activity, lock valuables in the trunk.
• Do not hide your spare key under the seat or over a visor or in glove box. These are common places to look.
• Most new vehicles have built-in alarm systems when you lock the doors so make sure you do so.
• If your vehicle does not have an internal GPS tracking system, fairly inexpensive “air tags” or GPS gadgets can be utilized.
• The longer it takes a suspect to steal a vehicle, the less likely it will occur. Don’t make it easy for them !
• If you experience a vehicle theft, call 911 to report as soon as possible.

For Home/Property Security:

• Invest in good lighting around your property. Motion Sensor lights are inexpensive and are a great deterrence against crime.
• Make sure you don’t leave your home unlocked when you are away or at work. Those days are unfortunately gone.
• Invest in solid door locks such as dead bolts to lock your property.
• Many people are now investing in key pad locks so the doors lock automatically and no key needs to be hidden under the door mat etc..
• Home alarm systems and surveillance cameras can be easily purchased and are fairly affordable for homeowners these days.
• Trail Cameras are another means of protecting your home and post a sign saying that your property has an alarm or cameras.
• Make sure you list your valuable items and serial numbers just in case they are stolen. This will enable police to better identify when found.
• If you have a shed or garage, make sure you have a strong locking system and have that area well lighted like your home.
• Make an inventory of your tools and machines and like the vehicle tips above, utilize an Air Tag to track your ATV or other valuables just in case they are taken.
• If you are away for any period of time, invest in a light timer so lights turn off and on. Have someone check on your property and pick up mail etc.. Set your alarm and advise the alarm company.
• Don’t advertise on Social Media as to going on trips or a new purchase or the door is broken etc.. so many people spread these tid bits of information around that it makes you a target.
• If you experience any thefts or a break and enter, call the RCMP as soon as possible. Don’t touch or move anything until police have a look to see if there is any evidence for their forensic team.

BUDGET MEETING IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON MAY 2, 2025 AT 10 A.M.