by Paul Maurice, Director, OFA
Crime is a reality for all Ontarians, regardless of whether they live in rural or urban areas. That’s particularly true of visible issues like theft, trespassing, or property damage, but fraud, cyber crimes, human trafficking and domestic violence – while less visible – are also cause for concern and vigilance.
There used to be somewhat of a perception that rural areas were safer or less of a target, but that is no longer the case so it’s important to be aware of possible risks and to take steps to protect yourself and others in your community.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture works hard to raise awareness of rural crime and ensuring farmers and rural residents know how to minimize or prevent these kinds of occurrences. This includes working with law enforcement and partners like Crime Stoppers, known for their anonymous tip lines where people who’ve witnessed a crime can make a report, as well as for the cash rewards they pay if a tip leads to a crime being solved.
To help get the message out, OFA is hosting an upcoming webinar with Sarah Bowers-Peter, program coordinator with Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington, who will talk about the organization’s role as an intermediary between the public and police, as well as highlight key types of crimes that people could be exposed to and should be aware of.
Fraud is a growing challenge across society in general, and rural residents are as vulnerable as anyone else to being targets of phishing scams, hacking, misrepresentative emails or attempts to swindle them out of money.
Along with that are general risks that come with living in an increasingly digital, connected world, including farms where more and more digital systems are being implemented. Cyber security incidents, whether it’s compromised information, financial fraud or data that is held hostage until a ransom is paid, are on the rise.
Outdated, unmaintained systems running old software no longer being updated is one of the most common vulnerabilities and is widespread, especially in small businesses – and this includes farms where research shows 90% of farming systems aren’t up to date and have no software patching or updating policy.
Theft is an ongoing threat in rural areas as criminals are becoming more brazen, helping themselves to vehicles, equipment, livestock and more. Along with that, incidents of trespassing into fields for recreational activities or to grab that perfect selfie, as well as illegal dumping of everything from garbage and building materials to contaminated soil are becoming more prevalent.
I’m a farmer and a director on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture representing farmers in York, Peel and Simcoe, and that’s certainly the case in these regions. That’s why rural residents are encouraged to be vigilant, post clearly visible no trespassing signs, and invest in lights and alarms to make it harder for intruders to remain unseen.
As well, it pays to install good quality locks on buildings and to never leave keys in vehicles, tractors, ATVs or forklifts, etc – they are tempting targets. And try to resist the temptation of posting on social media when you’re going to be away!
Less visible but definitely happening across the province are crimes like human trafficking and domestic violence. It’s not something that is widely talked about, which makes it easier to take place, and many people don’t know what signs to look for. Here too, Crime Stoppers or law enforcement can be a way to report suspicious activity anonymously and confidentially.
Preventing crime is always better than apprehending someone after a crime has been committed, so it pays to be informed and aware of what the risks are. The OFA has a tip sheet on protecting your farm against theft and trespassers, as well as a recording of a cyber security webinar; both are available at ofa.on.ca, as is registration for the Crime Stoppers webinar on June 26.
If you see suspicious activity, consider having it checked out by reporting it to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you have an observation or information that may help solve a crime, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or via their website at https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip.
