Timmins’ top cop says his officers are not only fighting crime during these trying times of COVID-19. Police chief John Gauthier says they’re also battling daily social media posts about policing, that aren’t always truthful or accurate.
“So unless you hear it directly from myself, the deputy chief (Henry Dacosta) or (communications coordinator) Marc Depatie,” remarks Chief Gauthier, “I’m not going to say not to believe it, but take it with a grain of salt.”
(timminspolice.ca)
Gauthier is assuring business owners that his officers are working at stemming opportunistic criminals taking advantage of the ongoing pandemic.
He says his regular patrol officer levels are being augmented to protect businesses.
“Other officers have been focused on property related crimes and incidents, specifically increased patrols with a focus on property checks and monitoring in the community is taking place.”
Between last Tuesday and yesterday, police answered calls to 24 break-ins or attempted break-ins. Three of them involved businesses.