THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Police Service has formally launched a new program that aims to give residents the tools and information that they need to help police in ongoing investigations into the drug trade.
“The public has often reached out to the police to provide us with information. This is our way of telling them specifically what information is helpful because the information that we receive from the public, I can appreciate people thinking that we can act on it immediately,” said Det.-Insp. John Fennell.
“Unfortunately, we can’t. Telling us that there’s a lot of activity is just not enough. So that’s why we’ve printed it. We came up with a placard of specific information that’s valuable to us and that’s what we have now been sharing with the community.”
“Project Reveal” was soft launched in December 2021 and members of the TBPS have been visiting neighbourhoods with known or suspected problems related to drug trafficking activity, and through brochures and direct conversation, have provided residents with details on how to provide investigators with relevant and constructive information.
Significant evidence is required for law enforcement agencies to obtain warrants, and citizens often unknowingly have key details that could help police obtain those warrants, police said.
“Sometimes it can be difficult to get enough information to be able to advance investigations. So, what we have done is we regrouped as we always do to have a discussion and ask what else can we do?” said Fennell.
“Mid-November we met as a large group, inter-branch, uniform, intelligence, investigation, community, to try to see how we can initiate some more information. Project Reveal was developed and as a response, all branches are working together to try to get out and learn more information.”
Project Reveal works by providing citizens with knowledge on what kind of details may lead to positive outcomes.
The program is working, the force reports, saying it has already obtained search warrants that led to drug seizures and arrests.
“We do amazing work as a service. You can see weekly the efforts of all of our officers in terms of drug seizures, warrants and the work that’s being done to try to eradicate and slow down selling and distribution of illicit drugs,” said Sylvie Hauth, Chief, Thunder Bay Police Service.
Police say drug trafficking targets some of the most vulnerable in the community, leading to increased violent crime and creating serious safety risks in and around the neighbourhoods in which they operate.
In 2021, the TBPS executed 128 warrants connected to drug trafficking investigations. This led to 799 Criminal Code charges and 333 arrests.
The prevalence of fentanyl continues to be a serious concern. In 2021, the TBPS seized about 2.2 kilograms of fentanyl.
Drugs seized in 2021 had an estimated potential street value of nearly $3.8 million.
The Thunder Bay Police Service is asking all residents who have any information that could assist police, to call the TBPS non-emergency line at (807) 684-1200, or to submit tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.
Police are also asking that residents who have home surveillance cameras and would like to take part in the camera registry program, to visit: www.cityprotect.com/camera-registration.
By registering home and business security cameras, residents can help notify law enforcement that they are willing to assist in an investigation if something happens within view of ther cameras.
