Camera Found in Southern Ontario Town Used to Scout Homes for Break-Ins: Police

A Southern Ontario police force has issued a warning to the public after officers retrieved a camouflaged trail camera last week that appeared to be used for the surveillance of nearby homes.

Officers from the Halton Regional Police Service responded to a call in a neighbourhood of Milton on April 16 after a homeowner found a trail camera and battery pack wrapped in camouflage tape concealed in some shrubs. 

“This is a known tactic used by criminals involved in residential break and enters,” the police service said in an April 21 press release. “These cameras may be used to conduct surveillance on target residences to determine occupancy patterns and identify opportunities to commit offences when homes are vacant.”

Residents in Milton and across the region are urged to regularly inspect their properties and notify the authorities immediately if they discover a recording device, police said, noting that homeowners should not touch or try to remove any device they find. 

Milton is one of three large towns in the Halton region and is part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). 

“With the onset of warmer weather, we anticipate there will be an increase in residential break and enter occurrences,” police said. “We would like to remind residents to remain alert for suspicious persons or vehicles and report any suspicious activity to police immediately.”

York Regional Police issued a similar warning a few weeks ago after other cameras were found on residential properties in Vaughan, Ont., just north of Toronto. They received two separate reports after surveillance cameras and battery packs were found camouflaged on private properties. The cameras were strategically placed near trees and shrubs.

“A review of the footage revealed the devices were placed to record homeowners’ routines, allowing suspects to scout the properties before committing break and enters,” York police said in a March 30 press release. “Homeowners are encouraged to be aware of this crime technique and to report any suspicious people, items, or activity to police.”

Halton Police said one of the best ways to deter criminals is to keep your home and property well lit. Police recommend installing outdoor motion lighting and leaving interior lights, music, or other audible noise on when no one is home.

Other safety tips include keeping doors, windows, and gates locked and installing shatter-resistant glass film, upgraded deadbolts, and door reinforcement hardware, police said.

Installing a home security system and an audible alarm offer additional layers of security, while the use of CCTV cameras provides footage for police to view should a crime occur. 

Other measures include keeping hedges and greenery trimmed to improve visibility around the property, storing valuables in a well-hidden safe, and owning a dog.