This is Crime Prevention Week across the province, a time for residents to learn what they can do to help prevent crime.
Niagara Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch joined Lori Love on 105.7 EZ Rock this morning to talk about how we can help police.
The Chief says they have realized over the years, police can't do it alone, that crime prevention needs to be a collaborative effort.
Chief MacCulloch noting that collaborative effort resonates more loudly now, particularly when social issues are impacting the region's three biggest cities, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland.
The Chief says the homelessness, the poverty, the mental health and the drug addictions, all intertwine and create a very difficult situation to try and address.
Chief MacCulloch urges everyone do their part to report crime.
He notes it may be as simple as reporting if your car has been broken into.
But he adds that can help the NRP's crime analysts determine if it's part of a bigger problem.