Greetings From NWL!
What’s New at NWL:
Fall has arrived and we hope you are staying safe, and making the best of the season in these challenging times. Of course the pandemic is top of mind as we look at daily reports of COVID numbers and subsequent measures to curb the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 and Halloween
The pandemic has raised questions and concerns among families about trick-or-treating this year. Recent media reports include comments by Mayor Ed Holder and Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Chris Mackie, which highlight considerations in planning for Halloween. We’ve put together a special Halloween guide for our members, which you can read here: NWL COVID-19 Halloween Tips
A Special Note From London Police Service Regarding Increased Bank Fraud
Be aware of recent reports of personal banking fraud. Here’s how the scam works: The victim is approached by someone who says they’ve lost their wallet or phone. The suspect asks for assistance, sending a fake electronic fund transfer to the victim. The victim is convinced to withdraw cash from an ATM, and hands the money over to the suspect. After the suspect has left the area, the victim realizes they have been defrauded. In another scenario, the victim is asked to deposit a cheque by the suspect into their personal bank account and turn over the money to the suspect. The victim later discovers the cheque was fraudulent.
“The London Police Service would like to remind the public that agreeing to withdraw funds from a bank account for a stranger is very risky, and usually ends up in a situation where the victim loses money. Any time someone wants to use your personal bank account for their benefit, it comes with great risk and should be avoided to protect the integrity of your bank account and personal finances” according to the London Police website.
Why Reporting is Important
A man has been charged after citizens called police following a break and enter at an east-end London business. Police received a call about 11:30 p.m. September 26th, concerning a man said to be holding a shovel outside a Dundas St. building. Officers arrived to find a glass door had been damaged. A man fitting the description of the suspect was taken into custody and property belonging to the business was recovered. To quote police: “We want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the public for reporting crimes to the London Police Service. Often things go unreported, and we continue to remind Londoners, when we don’t know – we can’t go.”
Canine Kudos!
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes they have four legs! London police dog Koda, is being credited with helping the Canine Unit catch a stolen vehicle suspect. The vehicle had been taken from south London residence September 28th. Police tracked down the van, and as they approached the vehicle, the suspect fled into an alley. Koda led police to a man hiding inside a large garbage dumpster. The suspect has been charged with theft over $5000.
London’s Strategic Plan – What’s in it For You?
You might want to take some time to familiarize yourself with London’s newest strategic plan. A strategic plan is used by municipalities like London, to outline priorities for the coming years. London’s 2019-2023 strategic plan is available for viewing on the city’s website. Regarding community safety, the plan includes commitments to:
- Reduce collision-related injuries and fatalities through public education and enhanced traffic enforcement.
- Reduce crime through increased visibility of community patrols and partnership with other agencies to address multi-jurisdictional criminal activity.
- Reduce victimization/revictimization through public education, promotion and encouragement of public engagement in crime prevention strategies.
London’s strategic plan also aligns with NWL’s commitment to neighbourhood building, with pledges to:
- Strengthen engagement opportunities for all Londoners to participate in their neighbourhoods.
- Support neighbourhood festivals, cultural events and activities across the city.
- Implement programs and services that respond to neighbourhood recreation needs.
Our New Website is Here!
If you’ve visited nwlondon.ca recently, then you’ve seen our new design! With COVID-19, we need to transition to digital communications, and our new website has great new information for all of our members. We welcome your feedback, so be sure to e-mail info@nwlondon.ca and let us know what you think!
NWL Needs Your Support
COVID-19 has presented challenges for many non-profits, and we are no exception. In order to maintain the viability of NWL, we have created a new tier of membership: NWL Plus. This membership will offer exclusive resources, as well as special discounts and perks from local businesses who are part of our new My Business Neighbourhood Program. Membership is only $25 a year and is tax deductible. You can learn more here.
Until next month, we hope that you stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
The NWL Team