CAMSafe

The Greater Sudbury Police Service is pleased to announce a partnership with CAMSafe, a voluntary, web‑based registry of CCTV and security cameras that helps solve crimes more efficiently.

CAMSafe allows residents and business owners across Ontario to register their security cameras, CCTV systems, or doorbell cameras. This registry is a valuable tool that saves officers time during investigations by helping them quickly identify potential video sources.

The program provides a simple, effective way to leverage technology and encourages community members to play an active role in enhancing neighbourhood safety and supporting criminal investigations.

Register your security camera

Business

Businesses that appear neglected can become targeted by thieves and vandals.

 Tips for Business Owners:
  • Clean windows and floors thoroughly and keep a log of when cleaning is done. This helps investigators establish a timeline if a break‑in occurs.
  • Remove all valuables from storefront displays.
  • Empty cash tills, leave them open, and remove the cash tray so it is visibly empty.
  • Ensure alarm systems are working properly and that all contact lists are up to date.
  • Post signage on doors and windows indicating that the premises are monitored by an alarm company and that no cash is kept on site.
  • Consider installing a surveillance system that can be monitored remotely by phone or online.
  • Consider adding window or glass laminate to deter break‑ins and make forced entry more difficult.
  • Keep some interior lighting on to support video surveillance, and use timers where possible.
  • Ensure all doors and windows are properly locked and secured.
  • Confirm that all exterior lighting is functioning and turned on; consider adding motion‑sensor lighting.
  • Remove items outside the building that could be used to gain entry, such as bricks, ladders, poles, or construction materials.
  • Check the building regularly, maintain a log of each check, and vary the times you visit.

If you are a business owner and notice vandalism to your property (e.g., a broken window), please report it online by filing a Mischief to Property report.

If community members witness suspicious persons or activity around closed businesses, please contact Police at 705‑675‑9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705‑222‑8477 (TIPS).

For a crime in progress, call 911.

Residential 

Your home is your sanctuary, and taking simple precautions can help keep it safe.

Just as buildings can be designed to withstand storms and natural hazards, they can also be designed to reduce the risk of crime.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is an approach that encourages designing and maintaining your home or business in ways that help deter theft, vandalism, and break‑ins.

By applying proven home‑security practices, you can reduce risks to your family, your property, and your valuables.

CPTED Tips:
  • Install fencing with a secure, lockable gate to clearly define your property and prevent easy access to the back of your home.
  • Install solid‑core exterior doors with deadbolt locks.
  • Ensure your doors have wide‑angle peepholes placed at heights accessible to all household members.
  • Secure sheds and outbuildings, and keep them visible from your home.
  • Keep windows locked and use a screw or block to prevent them from being lifted.
  • Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed to maintain clear sightlines—overgrown vegetation can create hiding spots for thieves.
  • Use solid (not hollow) exterior doors; metal doors offer the best protection against forced entry.
  • Choose fencing that does not obstruct visibility. If you cannot see out, others cannot see in.
  • Reinforce any glass within 100 cm (40 inches) of a door lock by adding an acrylic or polycarbonate coating, or replace it with laminated or tempered glass.
  • Ensure exterior door hinges have non‑removable pins that cannot be tampered with.
  • Install hinged security bars over basement windows and keep the key nearby for emergencies.
  • Pin sliding patio doors together when closed. You can also drill a hole in the upper track and insert a screw to prevent the door from being lifted out of its track.
  • Illuminate as much of your property as possible. Avoid dark areas around your home, garage, and yard.
  • Always keep all doors—front, side, back, and garage—locked. Avoid leaving notes indicating you're not home.
  • Install bright security lighting and exterior motion‑sensor lights.
  • Consider investing in a home security system, including an alarm and video surveillance.
  • Ensure your house number is clearly visible so police and emergency services can find your home quickly.
  • Arrange for lawn mowing or snow removal if you are away for an extended period.
  • Be a good neighbour and keep an eye on your neighbour's residence, especially if you know they will be out of town
 Additional Safety Tips:
  • Close blinds and curtains at night to prevent burglars from seeing inside your home.
  • Lock all doors and windows before leaving your home.
  • Secure windows so they cannot be opened from the outside. If a window cannot be locked, you can pin it by drilling a hole through both frames and inserting a removable metal pin or bolt. Be sure the pin can be removed quickly in an emergency.
  • Make your home appear occupied at all times (e.g., use timers for lights).
  • Mark or engrave valuables with a unique identifier known only to you.
  • Create a home inventory using photos and/or video recordings.
  • Store jewelry in a safety deposit box or an unexpected location rather than a bedroom.
 What NOT to do:
  • Do not install a nameplate with your full name outside your home. A burglar could use this information to look up your number and call to check if you are home.
  • Do not leave notes on your door or in your mailbox indicating you are away.
  • Do not hide spare keys in obvious places such as under a doormat or inside a mailbox.
  • Do not leave cash, handbags, or valuables in plain sight inside your home.
  • Do not leave doors unlocked, even if you are only in the yard or at the far end of your home.
  • Do not post vacation plans or recent expensive purchases on social media.
  • Do not allow mail, newspapers, flyers, or parcels to accumulate while you are away.