Crimestoppers Bring Human Trafficking Awareness With New Transport Truck Wrap

To bring human trafficking awareness to the city, Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers has unveiled a new truck wrap at the Ontario Truck Training Academy on Wednesday afternoon.

The truck wrap stretches along 53 feet and is the same design on both sides. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Dave’s Towing & Recovery also sponsored it with Crimestoppers with the work by Big Rig Wraps. The truck is part of the Ontario Truck Training Academy.

From 2011 to 2021, Peterborough was the third-highest in the country, with 3.6 human trafficking incidents per 100,000 people. They trailed Thunder Bay and Halifax with 5.5 and 4.5, respectively, according to Statistics Canada.

Their data also showed that Peterborough jumped to 10.9 cases in 2021, only trailing Thunder Bay with 28.1.

“It is a problem that people aren't aware of and we wanted to make sure we're starting discussions,” said Alison Dyer, Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) detective constable of human trafficking. “We need people to see the sign, ask the questions, talk to other people, educate themselves, educate their children, etc.”

The wrap is the 26th truck that Big Rig Wraps has done nationally regarding human trafficking awareness. Photo by David Tuan bui.

While anyone can be susceptible to human trafficking, those who are more vulnerable and aged 13-25 are more likely to be victimized, according to Dyer.

“You have human labour trafficking, you have immigrants coming in and they're being forced to work for less wages,” she explained. “Then there are those that can romance someone like they're grooming them and then the end result is you have a girl working in the sex trade, whether by force, coercion or exercising control over them.”

Dyer says that noticing the signs is key to being able to determine if your children are involved in trafficking.

“If all of a sudden, your child is coming home with all of these purses, new clothing or they're hanging out with new people, start asking questions and start having the conversation,” she said.

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Peterborough Women Takes Home New Car in PTBO Crime Stoppers Annual Car Raffle Fundraiser

Barb Erskine of Peterborough drove away in a brand new Nissan Maxima on Thursday, which she had won in this year's Crime Stoppers car raffle fundraiser.

Barb Erskine takes the wheel for the first time of her 2022 Nissan Maxima Platinum Edition. Photo by Luke Best

The 2022 Nissan Maxima Platinum Edition purchased at Trans Canada Nissan was donated to Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers by Steve Daynes, the general manager of The Staffing Connection and Level A Professional Group. 

"I think it's important because I live in Peterborough and I want to support my community and make sure that it's safe,” said Daynes in a previous interview with PTBOCanada. “We have locations throughout the area of Peterborough and in Cobourg as a business and I want to make sure we give back to the communities that we serve."

Steve Daynes (Left) shakes hands with Erskine. Photo by Luke Best

With a value of roughly $50,000, Erskine never expected to win the car and saw the ticket purchase as more of a donation.

"Honestly, I was doing it for the cause. I'm very, very supportive of Crimestoppers. I really am," says Erskine.

Erskine was ticket #1347 of the 3110 sold. Because of Daynes' generous donation, Crime Stoppers raised just over $48,000 to fund their program.

Coming from driving a Toyota Corolla previously, Erskine was feeling a little nervous about the 300 horsepower.

Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations and fundraising efforts to keep the program running.

(L-R) Daynes, Detective Constable Keith Calderwood and Provincial Constable Greg Stokes congratulate Erskine on her win. Photo by Luke Best

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Peterborough Police Investigating After More Reports Of Grandparent Scam Cost Senior $12,000

Peterborough Police are investigating after learning of more grandparent scam incidents.

On Tuesday officers were made aware of an incident where a 75-year-old victim was asked for $12,000. Money was exchanged at their residence on March 11.

The suspect was described to police as:

• Black male

• Stocky

• Wearing a black hoody and black pants

On the evening of March 11, officers were made aware of the incident after the scammers called back and requested another $10,000 from the 87-year-old victim. The day before the victim had received a call that their grandson was in custody and $10,000 was required for his release. The victim attended two banks to get the money. A person attended the victim’s home, and the money was handed over.

The suspect was described to police as:

• Black male

• Wearing a grey hoody and a black mask

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.

Peterborough Police ask those with friends or family that may be susceptible to a scam to share the following information with them:

How the Grandparent Scam Works

• The suspect calls the victim pretending to be a law enforcement officer, friend or the grandchild

• The suspect seems to know basic information but not necessarily specifics

• The suspect indicates the grandchild is in trouble or needs money

• The suspect tells you how much money is needed and that someone will pick it up at their residence

• The suspects demand the victim does not tell anyone about the phone and help create stories for the victim to use if asked why the money is needed

• The suspect will often call back asking for more money

What to do if you receive a call:

• Do not provide any personal information

• Do not hand any money over

• Remember police will never go to your door to ask for money nor would they ask money to be given to a courier

• Stay calm even if the suspect is pressuring and indicating this is an urgent matter

• If you are concerned it’s a scam call police or a person you trust

• Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

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Peterborough Police Services Partners With Crime Stoppers To Release Colouring Book To Help Child Victims

The Peterborough Police Service and the Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers have partnered on a new colouring book to assist in the Peterborough Police Victims Services Unit.

PC Dillon Wentworth and PSD Gryphon; Crime Stoppers Coordinator DC Keith Calderwood (Peterborough Police); Training Sergeant Ted Branch and PSD Mag; Victim Services Coordinator Alice Czitrom and PSD Pixie; Crime Stoppers Coordinator PC Greg Stokes (OPP); PC Bob Cowie and PSD Isaac. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Services.

“The colouring book is not just a way to help the community get to know the PPS working dogs, but a tool that officers can use to help with rapport building and communication with young people coming into contact with police. What we know is that colouring, drawing, reading and writing help with emotional expression and can be a great coping tool for children, teens and adults,” said Alice Czitrom, Victim Services Coordinator, Peterborough Police Service. “We are grateful to our partners at Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers for their generous support for this project.”

The colouring book features the Peterborough Police Service Working Dogs Police Service Dogs (PSD) Isaac, Gryphon, and Mag and Facility Dog Pixie. It will be handed out to children who come into contact with police or find themselves at the police station.

“The Crime Stoppers Board of Directors and the Crime Stoppers coordinators were excited to partner with Peterborough Police Victim Services Unit on this project,” says Keith Calderwood, Peterborough Police Coordinator, Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers. “Helping children through the colouring book and learning about the working dogs of Peterborough Police is a win-win.”

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Local Entrepreneur Donates Car As a Raffle Prize to Kickstart Not-For-Profit Organization's Fundraiser

A 2022 Nissan Maxima (Platinum Edition) is up for grabs through a Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers raffle thanks to local entrepreneur Steve Daynes as he purchased and donated the car for the cause.

Steve Daynes, general manager of The Staffing Connection and Level A Professional Group (left) with Detective Constable Keith Calderwood of Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers (right). Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Daynes, general manager of The Staffing Connection and Level A Professional Group purchased the vehicle from Trans Canada Nissan — valued at $50,000 —for the raffle’s inaugural year that began last month.

He has been supporting Crime Stoppers for over a decade through initiatives such as sponsoring hockey games and charity golf tournaments hosted by the latter.

"I think it's important because I live in Peterborough and I want to support my community and make sure that it's safe,” said Daynes. “We have locations throughout the area of Peterborough and in Cobourg as a business and I want to make sure we give back to the communities that we serve."

The 2022 Nissan Maxima (Platinum Edition) from Trans Canada Nissan is the first car raffle from Crime Stoppers. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers.

As a not-for-profit organization, Crime Stoppers relies on donations and fundraising efforts to keep the program running.

"It's pretty rewarding to know that there are businesses out there supporting the community," said Detective Constable Keith Calderwood. "It's pretty big for him to step up like that and we're really excited about it."

The raffle for the car is on Sept. 1 during the Crime Stoppers charity golf tournament at the Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore. Four early bird draws of a $500 cash prize are done on Feb. 15, April 15, June 15 and Aug. 15. Gerry Berringer was the winner of the first draw.

To purchase your raffle tickets, click here.

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British Music Tribute Becomes Theme For Crime Stoppers Benefit Concert

Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers will host a benefit tribute concert on Feb. 5, 2022 at the Stonehouse Hall-Peterborough Curling Club announced on Thursday.

Crime Stoppers has been serving the community since 1987. Photo Courtesy of Crime Stoppers.

The show is called “The British Legends”, featuring tributes to David Bowie, Rod Stewart and Adele.

This event is presented in partnership with Connect Marketing and will benefit Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers.

Tickets are available at the door while they last for $38. Discounts available in advance. Advance tickets are available at www.BenefitShow.net or by calling or Event & Ticket Line 1-800-516-5810

Crime Stoppers’ mandate is to assist the police in solving crimes. The program encourages members of the community to call anonymously with information that assists in solving or preventing crimes.

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Tips From Peterborough Police On How To Protect Your Home From Break And Enters

From Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Service media release today:

Break and Enters:
On the 6th of January sometime between 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm a rash of break and enters were reported in Peterborough. On London Street suspects entered a residence after smashing the glass out of the back door. Once inside, they removed an unknown quantity of change and six bottles of Molson Canadian beer. On Dublin Street suspects entered a residence through a kitchen window. It is unknown at this time if any items were stolen. Witness watched an adult male wearing a beige jacket leaving the area. On Parkhill Road West suspects entered a residence through a rear window. Once inside they removed a laptop computer and on Bolivar Street suspects entered a residence by forcing open a back door. Once inside they removed approximately $5.00 in loose change. It would appear that the same suspects are responsible for these entries. Residents are reminded to keep their doors and windows locked at all time, report suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood, leave exterior house lighting on, keep driveways and sidewalks shovelled and pick up newspapers and mail. Anyone with information on these break and enters is asked to call the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service or Crime Stoppers.

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