Category: Broadcast

February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day and the integrated Human Trafficking Team wants victims of human trafficking to know that police are here to help.

Our first priority is the safety of victims. Members of the Human Trafficking Team work with community partners to support victims, address their specific needs and get them to safety. Victims will be treated with dignity and respect and their safety will remain our primary goal. We want to assure victims that the decision to participate in the investigation is theirs and we will respect their wishes.

Human trafficking is a criminal offence that involves controlling, forcing, intimidating, or deceiving a person of any age in order to exploit them through various forms of sexual exploitation or forced labour. Investigators in the Human Trafficking Team focus on targeting those who are responsible for coercing people into the sex trade.

We need the public’s assistance to stop the exploitation of people in our community.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking:

• To reach out for support or share information:
  • Call:
    • 902-490-5142 to contact the integrated Human Trafficking Team. Please note this line is not monitored 24/7. To file a report and have an officer follow up with you, please call 902-490-5020. If safety is of immediate concern, please call 911.
    • 902-449-2425 to contact the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team, 24/7.
  • Visit the Trafficking and Exploitation Services System website for a list of non-profit and government agencies that have specialized knowledge and training on the issue of human trafficking.
    
    

If you witness suspicious activity you think may be linked to human trafficking, you should:

• Not intervene. You may put yourself and others at risk if you intervene. You could also inadvertently interfere with an ongoing investigation.
  • Record all relevant information, including names, dates, time, location, descriptions of people and vehicles.
• Report it:
  • 911 to report a situation where someone’s life is at risk or they require immediate assistance.
  • 902-490-5020 to report an incident and have an officer follow up with you.
  • 1-800-222-8477 to make an anonymous tip to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.

For more information on the human trafficking, visit:

• halifax.ca/human-trafficking
• Trafficking and Exploitation Services System (TESS): https://www.tessns.ca

Tech Approach to Help Victims of Human Trafficking

February 22, 2022, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia… A new tech approach aims to provide direct access to information on how to recognize the signs of Human Trafficking and report it.

A quick response (QR) code launched today provides direct access to information on how to recognize the signs and report human trafficking in Nova Scotia. The QR codes are included on posters and stickers that will be distributed throughout the province. The initiative is being led by the Provincial Human Trafficking Unit and is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Justice.

The QR Codes can be scanned quickly and unobtrusively and will provide rapid access to resources on human trafficking and contact information to report suspected cases, including the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking tip line, 902-449-2425, which is monitored 24/7 by an investigator in the human trafficking unit. In cases or emergency or concerns for safety the public is reminded to report these situations to their local police or through 911 to obtain immediate police assistance.

Recognizing the signs of human trafficking

Someone might be a victim of human trafficking if they:

• are in a new relationship and are treated like a prince or princess
• need to regularly check in with someone via cell phone or text
• change in physical appearance (such as having hair and nails done)
• receive expensive gifts for no reason
• start wearing new clothing, lingerie, designer shoes and handbags
• withdraw from family and friends
• not in control of their personal documents (driver’s licence, passport, etc.) or money
• started a job that sounds too good to be true

*It is possible that victims might not recognize they’ve been recruited into human trafficking and are now in a dangerous situation.

In addition to the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Hotline, resources are also available by calling the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline (833) 900-1010 (24/7- multilingual) or the Halifax Regional Municipality Integrated Human Trafficking Team (902) 490-5142 (not monitored 24/7).

“In addition to calling the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit tip line at (902) 449-2425, the QR code provides discrete access to resources and a connection to members of the Provincial Human Trafficking Unit. It is another way to enable those impacted by human trafficking to seek help and empower residents of Nova Scotia to know the signs, report and help disrupt Human Trafficking in our province.”

Insp. Murray Marcichiw, Officer responsible for the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit and Officer in Charge of Major Crimes, RCMP Nova Scotia

“Human Trafficking has been hiding in plain sight in our communities for many decades.  We must see it and name it before we can respond to it effectively.”

Charlene Gagnon – Manager, Advocacy, Research, New Initiatives and Home for Good, YWCA Halifax

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Note to media: Cpl. Dave Lane, Investigator, Provincial Human Trafficking Unit, is available for interviews.

To arrange for an interview, please contact:

Cpl. Chris Marshall

Public Information Officer

Nova Scotia RCMP

Cell: 902-222-0154

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February 21, 2022, Lower Truro, Nova Scotia…Colchester County District RCMP is investigating after responding to an armed robbery at a gas station on Robie St. in Lower Truro.

On February 20, at approximately 6:55 p.m., police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Esso gas station on Robie St. in Lower Truro. Police learned that a man had entered the gas station and threatened the staff with a weapon while demanding that they open the safe. The man was given cash and cigarettes and he then fled the scene. No one was injured during the incident.

The man was described as white, was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants, sunglasses and a black hat. Police believe that the man may have tried to get into a vehicle near the McDonald’s on Robie St. before fleeing that area on foot as well.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Colchester County District RCMP at 902-893-6827. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App

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February 18th, 2022, Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia…Halifax District RCMP are asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects who committed an Armed Robbery at a business in Cole Harbour.

At approximately 9:50pm, police responded to an Armed Robbery in progress at a business near the 600 block of Caldwell Road. One person is described wearing a red plaid jacket, black covering on face, and black pants.  The second suspect is described as wearing all black clothing.  One of the suspects may have had an accent; possibly Russian.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Halifax District RCMP at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

Halifax Regional Police are investigating a suspicious circumstances call that occurred today in Dartmouth.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. a man approached an 8-year-old child who was playing in a field near Princess Margaret Boulevard in Dartmouth. The man asked the child to go with them, when the child refused the man reached out and attempted to grab the child’s arm.  The child did the right thing and ran away and reported the incident to a trusted adult.

The man is described as being in his 30’s, bald, wearing a white tank top and black sweat pants.

Anyone who may have information in relation to the incident or video of the area is asked to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

February 18, 2022, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia… Halifax District RCMP is asking for the public’s help in identifying a person who allegedly committed a fraud in Lower Sackville.

Around October 26, 2021, an unknown woman used a stolen identification card in an attempt to obtain cellular phones from a telecommunications store located at 752 Sackville Dr. in Lower Sackville. The woman was captured on video surveillance. She was wearing a grey long sleeve shirt, blue jeans at the time and has brown hair.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Halifax District RCMP at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

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Police are investigating a robbery that occurred this morning in Dartmouth.

At approximately 9 a.m. police responded to a robbery at the Subway at 650 Portland Street in Dartmouth. A man entered the restaurant and took a sum of money from the cash register. The man then went to the lottery booth in the mall and took a number of lottery tickets. He then fled on foot. There were no physical injuries reported.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s and approximately 5’10” tall. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black jacket, dark pants, a grey and white toque with a pom pom on top and a medical mask.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident or video from the area to call 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or using the P3 Tips App.

February 18, 2022, Springhill, Nova Scotia…Cumberland County District RCMP continue to search for Jessie Morrissey who was reported missing on February 14.

Police, Ground Search and Rescue teams and RCMP Air Services have been conducting searches in the area where Morrissey was last seen. To date, police have been unable to locate him.

The investigation is continuing and police have obtained video surveillance of a person walking in the Springhill area between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on February 13. Police are asking that if anyone saw this person, or if anyone in Springhill has video surveillance on their property, to contact them at 902-667-3859. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File #: 2022-193075

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February 18, 2022, Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia…Halifax District RCMP is investigating a hit and run that occurred on Hwy. 102 in Bedford. The vehicle that fled was later reported stolen.

Shortly before 8:00 a.m. on February 17, police responded to a hit and run on Hwy. 102 in Bedford. The vehicle involved, a grey VW Jetta TDI bearing the Nova Scotia license plate FRS864, was later reported stolen by its owner. No one was injured in the hit and run.

Anyone with information on these incidents, is asked to contact the Halifax District RCMP at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File #’s: 22-19262, 22-19151

Police are investigating a break and enter into a building under construction in Halifax.

On December 6, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter into a building under construction on Supreme Court in Halifax. Sometime between December 4 and 6, two suspects broke into the building and stole more than $10,000 in tools before fleeing the area in a vehicle.

At the time of the incident, one suspect was carrying a grey backpack and wearing dark green pants, grey zipped hooded sweater, black shoes and a mid-length puffy black jacket. The second suspect was carrying a red backpack and wearing tie dyed blue and pink pants, black shoes, dark coloured bomber style jacket and blue toque. Both suspects were wearing gloves and face masks.

The incident remains under investigation by members of the General Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident or video from the area to call 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or using the P3 Tips App.

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Sunday marks the first anniversary of the murder of Joseph Beals, and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

At approximately 2:10 p.m. on February 20, 2021, Halifax Regional Police responded to reports of a single vehicle crash into a utility pole at the intersection of Mount Edward Road and Cranberry Crescent in Dartmouth. The driver, Joseph Beals, had suffered gun shot wounds. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries where he died. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service conducted and autopsy and ruled the death a homicide.

Investigators believe there are people who have information that could help solve Joseph’s murder. They are asking anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward with what they know; even the smallest piece of information could be the key to progressing the investigation into Joseph’s murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 902-490-5016

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