Charlottetown police are apologizing and promising to update the force's uniform policy after an officer appeared in a social media post intended to support P.E.I. Pride Week wearing a thin blue line patch.

The photo showed three officers with multicoloured letters spelling out "police" on their uniforms, with the caption "Sporting our rainbow police patches in support of #Pride2022 #prideweek."

One of the officers was also sporting a thin blue line patch, which some police members have been wearing as a symbol of solidarity and respect for the force, as well as a memorial to fallen colleagues.

However, the patch is also seen by many as an offensive symbol with ties to racism and white supremacy. The RCMP and several municipal police services in Canada have banned it as a symbol for officers to wear.

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'We could see closures in Canada': frustrated retailers fight losing battle with shoplifters

There's evidence the growing problem of shoplifting is actually altering the retail landscape.

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, abruptly closed four of its eight stores in Chicago, Ill., last week,

Media reports cite a lack of profits, theft and security concerns as the company’s reasons for the shutdown.

Experts say it might very well happen in the Maritimes.

"I do think we could see some closures in Canada. Maybe Walmart, maybe not, but it wouldn't surprise me," said retail analyst Bruce Winder from Toronto.

"If you look at the hardest areas hit economically, you look around Canada, especially in some of the big cities, you've got the increase in housing [costs], that just went through the roof whether it's rent or mortgage payments for people that have doubled or tripled because of interest rates," said Winder.

"I think we're at the tipping point now, where people are getting a lot more aggressive shoplifting."

According to Statistics Canada, Shoplifting is at an all-time high.

Thanks to a change in reporting last year, Halifax numbers are hard to pin down, but police acknowledge the problem.

"Like many regions across the country, we have seen an increase in retail theft and break and enters, particularly since 2020, including in Halifax," said Const. John MacLeod, Halifax Regional Police public information officer, in an email to CTV News.

"We do not know all the reasons driving this increase – but we are aware and working closely with community partners to work on solutions.”

"We have had several discussions with business districts and other stakeholders recently regarding such matters, and remain engaged in ongoing dialogue to ensure business owners are aware of the proper conduits to report incidents and connect with police officers in their area.”

MacLeod said the force is also trying to be more visible in the community by conducting foot patrols and using community officers.

Jim Cormier, the Atlantic director of the Retail Council of Canada, says retailers are at their “wit’s end” when it comes to shoplifting.

"They want to be good citizens, they want to do things responsibly, but when people are brazenly stealing from them, they have to be able to have some kind of measure where they can deal with it," said Cormier, adding his group and other stakeholders plan to meet with the provincial justice minister next month to discuss the issue.

"Statistics Canada has been showing time and again that there’s a dramatic increase in shoplifting," said Cormier.

"And it's not just limited to central Canada or to the bigger cities, where we think, 'Oh, that's where these things happen.' It's happening in Halifax. It's happening in Moncton. It's happening in Saint John, Charlottetown -- you name it."

In an afternoon statement to CTV News, Walmart indicated it would be beefing-up security.

"Retail crime – including theft and arson– is sadly higher than it historically has been at Walmart Canada and across the entire retail industry," said Stephanie Fusco, Walmart's senior manager of corporate affairs.

"This is very concerning for our business, our associates, our customers and the industry."

"Canadians rely on us for our everyday low prices on the products and services they need the most -- especially in challenging economic times like we are facing now. We want to reduce theft as much as possible in order to keep our everyday low prices as we continue to help Canadians save money and live better."

"Walmart Canada uses a variety of measures to manage and prevent theft and to keep our associates and customers safe. We’re increasing our investment in these measures, including enhancing our asset protection technologies and procedures in-store," the statement concluded.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/706OuAl

Life is What you make of it

Good Morning Everyone 🙏  God Bless You 🙌 🙏   How are you doing today?  Fine,  I hope.   My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins and I am from Dayton, Ohio.   I am a Graduate from The University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.   I have written three books in 23 years.   I have been clean and sober since Wednesday May 2, 1990.  I am an Author and Blogger right now.   I have been writing since 1985.  I want to say that life is what you make of it.  I am saying this because I feel better about myself right now.  Life itself is really good.   I know that I have come a very long way in life.   I used to be an aggressive person from 1990 through 1996.  This occurred when I was a college student years ago. 

Next, I want everyone to please keep me in your prayers and thoughts because I am not feeling well.   I am suffering from Degenerative Bone Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Glaucoma, and Schizoid Affective Disorder.   I also suffer from Schizophrenia as well as Seizures.   Life is good for me because I am an optimistic person.  I am a person who has a lot of common sense.   I am a person who does not like to argue with anyone anymore.  I am a 58-year-old man who is very intelligent and Gifted.  My grandparents wanted me to become a Preacher or a Minister.

Further, I really wanted to become a Police Officer in the Dayton, Ohio Area.   Instead, I became a Social Worker for a total of 3 years.   I earned my Associates Degree in Social Services Technology from the University of Toledo Community and Technical College at Scott Park.  I am a person who really struggled in school because I had a Learning Disability in College for 5 years. I used to smoke marijuana and Crack Cocaine for 16 years. My mother and grandparents told me to stop smoking marijuana and Crack and I stopped smoking period. 

Moreover, I stopped smoking on January 21, 1990.  I stopped drinking alcohol on Wednesday May 2, 1990.  This was exactly two days before my hernia operation on Friday May 4th 1990.  I stayed with my grandparents for 3 months.  I went to Drug and Alcohol Treatment for another 3 months at the Salvation Army in Dayton, Ohio from June 1, 1990 through September 1, 1990.  After I completed my treatment for drugs and alcohol; I relocated to Toledo, Ohio from September 1, 1990 through June 14, 1996.  I attended the University of Toledo from Monday April 1, 1991 through June 14, 1996.  I used to live at the Toledo Rescue Mission located on Jefferson Street and 20th Street.   I only stayed there for 1 month.

In Addition, I used to live inside of a Crack House for 3 years in North Toledo from 1991 through 1994.  I used to entertain harlots for 5 years.  I caught the Number 24 Bus to class for 3 straight years.   I also worked at the University of Toledo William Carlson Library from December of 1992 through June 14, 1996.  I graduated from the University of Toledo on Saturday June 12, 1993 and on Saturday June 17, 1995.  I earned my Bachelors of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from University College.   During my last 3 years, I worked at the Jerusalem Outreach Center as a Youth Counselor.

Finally, I moved back to the Dayton, Ohio Area for 1 year after graduation.  I got a job working for McDonald's and Kroger Grocery Store for 1 year.  Afterwards, I moved to the Charlotte, NC area from Sunday June 15, 1997 through January 5, 2010.  While in Charlotte, NC,  I stayed at the Men’s Uptown Shelter from Tuesday June 17, 1997 through Wednesday February 17, 1998.  I was hospitalized 5 times during the time that I was living at the Shelter.   I got signed up for Social Security just to have an income.  I had to walk to all of my AA Meetings and Emotions Anonymous as well.  I moved into my apartment on February 17, 1998 through July 3, 2000.  I was living at Charlottetown Terrace Apartments and I got a job working at the United States Census Bureau for 6 months.  Prior to that I got a job working at First Citizens Bank for 8 months.  I went home for 3 months in Fairborn, Ohio with my sister.  Afterwards, I moved back to Charlotte for 9 years.  I got a job working at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for 8 years.   After I lost my job, I was hospitalized for a total of 3 months.   The State of North Carolina Probate Courts sent me home for good. 

In Conclusion, I stayed at the Travelers Motel for 6 months.   I remember having four seizures during a 7 month period.   I had a seizure on the Number 4 Bus after I visited my nephew in jail.  A month later I had another seizure at the Vandalia Public Library while I was with one of my relatives.   The following year to the present, I have been living at the Wentworth HI Rise Apartments located on 2765 Wentworth Avenue Apt #607 Dayton, Ohio 45406.  Mom and Patricia died in 2017.  Granny died on Saturday October 19th 2013.  I have went to Charlotte, NC on December 21, 2022 until January 12th 2023.  I am suffering from Diabetes and Alzheimers Dementia.  Life is what you make of it because it has a lot to do with your attitude.  If you have a negative attitude, you will not be able to succeed in life.  I am trying to be transparent for a change because it will help you in the long run.  

In Summary,  I have written three books during a 23 year period.   During the past 4 years, I have written two books and they are called Essays and My Grace is Sufficient for Me.   The Book Publisher is AuthorHouse Publications Company in Bloomington, IN.  Life is what you really make of it because you can be successful if you really want to.   I remember getting Covid-19 on Sunday December 20, 2020 through February 28, 2021.  I do recall getting scammed out of $18,550 dollars in Western Union Funds.  I even got scammed out of money while working at Walgreens Pharmacy and University of North Carolina at Charlotte as well.   I do remember getting evicted 3 times in one year.  My life has truly changed for the better because I am more responsible for paying my bills and rent each month.  My Recovery is my Responsibility!  I do remember getting locked up at Summit Behavioral Health Center in Cincinnati Ohio from November 30, 2011 through February 1, 2012.  I had a total of 6 seizures in 2 months this year.  Thank you for reading my essay. 

RCMP is advising motorists to stay off the roads if possible on Sunday as a winter storm continues to make driving hazardous on P.E.I. Environment Canada has upgraded its special weather statement to a winter storm warning for Queens and Kings counties.

Due to poor visibility, snow plows are being pulled off all secondary roads under instructions from the Department of Transportation, according to the RCMP. They will continue to clear the main roads.

RCMP says Route 2 between Brookfield and Greenvale has reopened after being down to one lane for much of the morning due to a two-vehicle collision. One of the vehicles was a fuel truck, police say, but there were no injuries and no fuel spillage.

Charlottetown has already seen about 30 centimeters of snow since Friday. An additional 15-30 centimeters is possible for central and eastern P.E.I. through Monday night, with 10-20 centimeters of additional snow possible over western areas, according to CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland.

Voting in Monday's byelection in District 19: Borden-Kinkora could also be affected by the weather. Elections P.E.I. said it will make an announcement by 7 a.m. Monday about whether it will be postponed. The Air Canada flight from Montreal to Charlottetown was canceled Sunday morning, as was the afternoon flight from Ottawa via Porter.

The McGill Centre mental health walk-in clinic in Charlottetown has closed due to the weather, Health P.E.I. said. Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island remain closed for the day.

Breaking News – Andrew Bryenton Finally in Hospital in Charlottetown, PEI

Below, I’m copying the e-mails and posting from Marlene Bryenton on the latest updates on this Kafkaesque adventure. This is what it takes to get one mentally ill, homeless person into hospital to receive evidence based care. Months and months of focused searching, legal efforts, police help, and the help of hundreds of compassionate people. It is barbaric and unbecoming a supposedly first world…

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Police continue search for missing P.E.I. woman as family grows more anxious

Relatives & friends of Summer Kneebone are growing more and more worried as the 27-year-old woman's disappearance stretches on, police say. Summer Kneebone was last seen near Kings Square on Charlottetown's Kent Street on Aug. 7 #missing #sharethispost

Story by Shane Ross Relatives and friends of Summer Kneebone are growing more and more worried as the 27-year-old woman’s disappearance stretches on, police say. Summer Kneebone was last seen near Kings Square on Charlottetown’s Kent Street on Aug. 7. “The family is very worried, very anxious,” said Charlottetown Det.-Sgt Darren MacDougall. “They’re very concerned — as are we.” MacDougall…

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[ad_1] Charlottetown police say a 62-year-old man faces an assault charge in connection with a July 19 incident at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Police issued a news release on Friday saying the unidentified man has been released pending a court appearance at a later date, adding that he is to have no contact with the alleged victim. Police have said they were called to the arts venue after a man allegedly shoved provincial Housing Minister Rob Lantz during a heated exchange at an information session on a proposed supervised consumption site. Video circulating on social media by CBC and CTV reporters showed a man using coarse language, spilling liquid from a cup in Lantz's hand, and pushing the minister, who last month declined to comment on the incident. A supervised consumption site is a place where people can bring their own drugs to use in the presence of trained staff, in an effort to help reduce accidental overdoses and the spread of infectious diseases. The Prince Edward Island government has said the proposed site would be part of an expansion to the Park Street Emergency Shelter close to downtown Charlottetown. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2023. For full coverage of Prince Edward Island news, visit our dedicated page. [ad_2] Source link

About 3,000 federal employees on P.E.I. joined tens of thousands of other federal public servants across Canada to launch a strike early Wednesday and are on the picket lines after the federal government's Treasury Board and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) failed to reach a deal before a Tuesday evening deadline. Debi Buell, president of Local 90001 with the Union of Veterans Affairs Employees of PSAC, was among about 100 picketers in front of the Jean Canfield Building in Charlottetown, one of seven picket locations across the province. "We've been waiting over two years for this contract, and we have endured a lot of high inflation. Gas prices, food prices are not going down, so our members are really feeling the pinch," she said. "There are single parents here, and it is very expensive." So we're here for a fair deal and have been pushing for work-from-home arrangements to be written into a new collective agreement, said Lindsay MacLellan, strike captain for the Union of Taxation Employees. "We've been working remotely for three years, and we've been able to keep up with the demands." We believe our members should be able to continue working from home if that's working well. Some union members are considered essential and will continue to report to work to keep payments coming in for employment insurance, the Canada Pension Plan, and Old Age Security. "Anything on an urgent basis, we don't want to impede that type of thing," she said after receiving strike pay from their local union as well as from PSAC, hoping that people will be OK," said Buell. As CBC spoke with Buell and other striking workers picketing outside the federal building Wednesday, they were yelled at by a truck driver, who told them to "get back to work." "We will not accept harassment of any kind for any of our members," Buell said, adding that the police are aware of the picket locations and people can come to her or any of the picket captains if they face any kind of heckling. "We feel bad, and we're trying not to impact people relying on those services," Buell said. "We want to get back to work. We hope the strike doesn't last very long. But we are prepared to stay out here as long as it takes."

Police and Hockey P.E.I. investigating brawl at Charlottetown youth tournament

Police and Hockey P.E.I. investigating brawl at Charlottetown youth tournament

For the second year in a row, an incident at a Charlottetown youth hockey tournament is drawing negative attention — and leaving frustrated Hockey P.E.I. officials questioning how they can change the culture of the sport. A brawl broke out Saturday night after an under-18 AA game between teams from P.E.I. and Nova Scotia at the annual Early Bird Tournament at the Bell Aliant Centre. CBC News has…

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Five community groups on P.E.I. have written to police and education officials seeking public statements in support of the LGBTQ community. The groups, which include PEERS Alliance and Pride P.E.I., are asking Charlottetown Police Services, the Public Schools Branch, and the provincial Department of Education for public expressions of support for the province's gender diversity guidelines. They also want officials to publicly condemn hate in response to Wednesday's protests around inclusion in Island schools. Charlottetown police said Friday a total of five people had reported being assaulted during the protest. Those complaints are under investigation. "This is scary, this is traumatizing," said Josie Baker, executive director of PEERS Alliance. 

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Tagging: @politicsofcanada

Advocates decry 'inhumane' removal of stoves, heat from Charlottetown homeless camp

A group distributing food and supplies to Charlottetown residents impacted by Fiona says a police and fire department seizure of cooking and heating supplies Wednesday from people in a homeless camp was cruel and inhumane.

Kylee Graham with the Charlottetown Mutual Aid group said in an interview that officials' claims there were safety concerns about improper use of propane stoves and heaters are unfounded.

She contrasted the raid with the city fire inspector's comments last weekend that his team was going door to door to help people use their generators safely amid power outages caused by post-tropical storm Fiona.

An emailed statement from the city on behalf of acting fire Chief Tim Mamye said authorities confiscated heating supplies because they had concerns about exposed wires and people using appliances in enclosed spaces.

Graham says residents used their tools safely, adding that they are now without heat as the nights become colder.

She says the growing encampment is regularly home to anywhere between 25 and 40 people.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2022.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/rJB0UMY

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The last decade has seen a big shift in crime on P.E.I., from physical to online attacks and to attacks from abroad—all of which are creating huge challenges for police. The trends can be seen in reports of incidents to police, reported annually by Statistics Canada, and they can be observed all across the country.

Crime rates on P.E.I. have followed a U-shaped curve since 2010, bottoming out in 2015 before beginning to rise again. But it is a new breed of crime that is causing the increase.

While overall crime rates started rising again in 2015, the rates of some crimes continued to fall. Breaking and entering, minor theft, arson, and robbery are down double digits.

Those three crimes are part of a group of crimes that have seen rates go up in the triple-digit range. That group also includes identity theft, identity fraud, fraud, and extortion.

Fraud is now more common than assault, and indecent and harassing communications are more common than breaking and entering.

Sexual assault stands out as an area where reports of physical violence are up more than the overall rate of violent crime.

Andresen sees a common thread between some of these crimes and a general social trend, one that is international in nature.

That general lowering of civility in society, he said, could be a factor in some of these increases.

Jennifer McCarron, deputy chief of uniformed police services in Charlottetown, sees another common thread in many of these crimes: communication technology harassment and threats are not only up, McCarron said, but the way they are being received has changed.

That's part of the change, said McCarron, but the source of those threats and the rise of extortion and fraud are also different. It is no longer about Islanders targeting other Islanders. Now, she said, perpetrators targeting Islanders could be virtually anywhere: other provinces, the United States, and overseas.

That requires a lot more training, she said. The lead officer in the major crime unit, which takes charge of these investigations, spends weeks away every year at conferences and workshops, learning all the latest techniques and case law, which is difficult to keep up with. The major crime unit has just four officers, the same number that was working on the unit in 2015.

The trouble is, she said, there is still the expectation that officers be out on the street 24/7 and that in itself consumes most of the shifts of the force's 70 officers.

Those challenges are reflected in clearance rates; the number of cases that are resolved in some way fell from 65 percent in 2015 to 38 percent in 2022. A lot of this reflects the more online nature of the new crime trends. Clearance rates for criminal harassment and uttering threats have been cut in half, and for extortion by almost two-thirds.

While police-reported incidents are perhaps the best measure we have for criminal activity, they have their limits. About 30 percent of crimes are reported to police, said Andresen, so it can be difficult to know if an increase in reporting actually represents an increase in crime.

People are getting more educated about when it is appropriate to call the police, she said, such as when they receive an intimate image through email or social media.

And people should not be discouraged by low clearance rates, she said. Their experience could be part of a larger picture, she said, and every piece helps put that picture together.

Sexual assault reports in P.E.I. more than double in five years | SaltWire

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Police reported a total of 147 sexual assaults in Prince Edward Island in 2021, the highest number the province has seen in 23 years.

"Armed Mounted Police Guarding County Jail,” Kingston Whig-Standard. February 14, 1933. Page 1. ---- CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I., Feb. 14 — Armed Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been added to the guard at Queen County jail as a precaution against a threatened uprising there. 

The police are particularly watchful while the prisoners exercise within the recently-built ten-foot fence surrounding the jail. 

A fire on Sunday the latest of several in recent months was believed to have been put of a plan to destroy the building.