RCMP’s new online crime reporting tool receives various thoughts from people

By Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan 

Nov.16, 2023 

Becky Duncan, Holland College Samuel’s clerk, said the shop is increasing employees at the store to reduce the occurrence of theft. Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan Photo.

Items from the Cool As A Moose store's shelves have been disappearing faster than it has ever been sold, according to the manager Melissa Greencorn. 

“We aren’t allowed to say anything to (thieves), so we wait to let them go and then report them to the cops.” 

Greencorn has instructed her workers in the shop to not question their customers, even if they discover them stealing items.

The store owners are worried about staffs’ safety since customers could act violently or bring weapons with them. 

Mostly, low-priced items have been stolen away from the store.

“Moneywise though, they stole something under $30. But there was one person who stole over $100.” 

Greencorn gathers the video from security cameras and provides it to the police.

Becky Duncan, a Holland college Samuel’s store clerk, is hiring extra staffs to reduce theft happening in the store. 

“Theft happens here but it’s just that I’m not seeing it. I try to be aware and it's a challenge for sure.” 

Theft is happening mot just in stores. Homeowners have also been victims of theft. 

Kowsar Ibrahim, a University of Prince Edward Island student has had theft in her house. 

“My brother’s BMX bike got stolen by a couple of men and we had to go the police station and file a complaint with them. It (The bike) was expensive, but we got it after two days.” 

According to the P.E.I. RCMP, any property damages under $5,000 or theft under $5,000 is a non-emergency crime. 

Recently RCMP launched an online crime reporting (OCR) tool providing the public with another option to report certain types of non-emergency crime. 

RCMP Senior Communications Advisor Scott Ferris explained the public can benefit from this new initiative.

“Reporting through this tool just makes it easier for people. You don’t have to come to the station if you feel uncomfortable interacting with the police.”  

The new technology is accessible 24/7 hours for people to report non-emergency crimes. But it’s not monitored by the officers all the time.  

Ferris further stressed that this online tool is not a replacement for the 9-1-1 emergency number.   

This platform should not be used to report credit card theft, passport theft, or any other offense worth more than $5,000.    

Since the response time is not stated and it could take the police several hours to respond to a registered complaint, many people have different opinions on this new online service.  

Samantha Osabel, a student at Holland College, predicts that this online platform won't be successful.  

“If they are not going to respond for such a long time, I think it’s better to call because sometimes theft is an emergency. I think it’s not gonna work.”  

Paula Gauthier claims that the new tool would make a difference if it’s monitored properly.  

“It depends on how long the response time is. The idea is good because this is going to be a non-emergency. If you call 9-1-1, it might detract them from real emergencies where they need to be because it's spread so thin.”  

Ferris stated that it will take some time for people to learn about the new initiative. They are working to promote this new technology in an attempt to reach a wider audience. 

“This is featured through our social media, and we have members traveling throughout the province doing talks and presentations to the public.” 

So far, two cases have been registered in this online reporting and officers are working on those cases.