THUNDER BAY – Crimebeat – Mac’s Convenience Stores adds social media to its crime prevention tactics in Thunder Bay. There is no surprise retail stores are targets when it comes to shop theft or robbery incidents; with this in mind, Mac’s Convenience Stores in Central Canada have developed an innovative approach to augment its formidable crime prevention measures by using social media to help identify criminals through Facebook and Twitter!
Mac’s will use these social media outlets to blast their crime fighting messages out to the community.
Here’s how it works… Each Mac’s store is equipped with surveillance cameras and a digital video recording (DVR) unit; and when an incident occurs suspect images from the DVR are turned over to the police.
To assist the police in identifying these suspects, Mac’s will now proactively post these images of recent unsolved crimes on their Mac’s Crime Busters Facebook page and on twitter @MacsCrimeBuster. The images will have a description of the suspect and alleged crime, followed by an appeal to the public to contact Crime Stoppers if they have any information that will assist the police in apprehending the suspect.
“We hope this forward thinking approach to crime prevention will assist in the resolution of unsolved crimes” said Sean Sportun Manager, Security & Loss Prevention for Mac’s in Central Canada. “Exposing criminals on our social media pages will certainly make them think twice before victimizing our retail business”.
Mac’s stores will post notices at their entrances and on our in-store media screens (the largest digital network in Ontario), advising customers of their intention to use images of individuals who commit criminal acts on their property. Once a suspect is arrested their image will be taken down and replaced with a title “apprehended”.
“I am pleased that Mac’s is initiating proactive measures in an attempt to stem the tide of robberies and make our community safer” said Mayor Keith Hobbs. “I encourage the public to support this initiative”.
Mac’s Convenience Stores has made Crime Prevention an integral part of our corporate responsibility; demonstrating our continued commitment to the overall safety of the community. With your help, Mac’s can enhance community safety by identifying individuals suspected of crimes against our stores and other retailers; ultimately bringing them to justice.
“We have the technology and we are going to use it” said Tom Moher, Mac’s Vice President of Operations in Central Canada. “by using social media we will reach a more diverse demographic in our effort to combat crime and enhance public safety”
Working in partnership with law enforcement and Crime Stoppers, Mac’s goal is to:
- Create awareness on retail crime
- Expose individuals who commit criminal acts against Mac’s by posting their images on facebook & twitter, with a description of their alleged criminal act
- Provide the public with a conduit to report criminals anonymously through Crime Stoppers
- Assist law enforcement in identifying offenders, especially those repeat offenders
- Enhance the safety & security of our customers and employee
Crime Stoppers is a partnership between the public, police and media that provides the community with a proactive program for citizens to assist the police anonymously in solving crimes, thereby contributing to an improved quality of life.
Individuals who have any information that will assist investigators are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online or by Text Message. Crime Stoppers takes information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Calls are not recorded and Crime Stoppers does not have call display, guaranteeing your identity remains anonymous. If your tip leads to an arrest, you are eligible to a cash reward. You will never be asked to identify yourself or testify in court.
Along with posting the surveillance images, Mac’s will also be covering the $200.00 reward paid out by Crime Stoppers.
Links to the Mac’s Crime Busters social media pages:
www.facebook.com/MacsCrimeBusters
www.twitter.com/#!/MacsCrimeBuster