Connect with us

Anglais

First-time shoplifters won’t be charged by Toronto police in pilot project

Published

on

[ad_1]

First-time shoplifters will no longer be prosecuted in two of Toronto’s busiest police divisions as part of a pilot project that, if successful, will go citywide.

The program — called Shop Theft — allows privately employed theft prevention officers to release an accused after the details of the incident are called in to a division, as opposed to waiting — sometimes for hours — for police to answer the low-priority calls.

The six-month pilot will run in divisions 51 and 52, which encompass the area south of Bloor St. from Spadina Ave. east to the Don River.

During that time, alleged offenders can be released for non-violent shoplifting incidents through the program as long as they meet certain criteria — they must be 18 years of age or older, the items they are accused of stealing are worth less than $1,000 and they have identification.

“The investigation is no different than the officer being there in person,” says Paul Rinkoff, a Toronto police staff sergeant who is in charge of the project.

“The investigation is going to mirror that, just over the phone,” he says. “There are a number of criteria where police will still attend and that includes if any party asks for police attending.”

Accused shoplifters who are released through Shop Theft won’t be charged, although Rinkoff notes that police reserve the right to lay a charge later by summons, depending on the circumstances of the crime.

Read more:

Letters to shoplifters threaten legal action if hundreds in damages aren’t paid — even if the goods are recovered

The pilot, which began Nov. 1, is part of the service’s efforts to modernize. The program will be reviewed at the 90-day-mark and then again at the end of the six months to determine if the TPS will implement it in all its divisions.

“What we’ve been trying to do through the modernization process is make sure that our police officers are where the public needs them the most,” says Meaghan Gray, acting director of corporate communications for the Toronto Police Service. “And maybe responding to … shoplifting calls — that can be held just as efficiently by a theft prevention officer partnered with us over the phone — allows us to reassign those officers to more pressing calls for service.”

The new procedures could lead to an increase in the number of accused shoplifters, says a U.S. academic, and to the increased use of a controversial practice by retailers called civil demand recovery letters, which threaten legal action if the accused doesn’t pay hundreds of dollars in punitive damages, even when the items are retrieved.

The letters are already in use in Canada, but are used more widely in the U.S. because of state legislation introduced there in the ’80s and ’90s, meant to decriminalize shoplifting, that allows retailers to go after accused shoplifters for damages civilly by way of the demand letters.

The result of the legislation was a sharp increase in the number of accused shoplifters, says Ryan Sullivan, a professor at the University of Nebraska, and retailers began to not only go after the accused for damages using the letters, but in court as well where the defendant could be ordered to pay the value of the stolen item if it’s damaged or not recovered.

“Most statutes in the U.S. permit such civil demands to be made even if the person was not found guilty of shoplifting. A mere accusation is enough,” says Sullivan. “If a person is acting suspiciously in a store, a security officer may detain them and interrogate them in a back room with no access to a phone or an attorney.

“During this interrogation, they are often required to provide their driver’s licence; from this they obtain their mailing address. Minors are asked for the name(s) and address of their parents as well,” says Sullivan. “This information is then entered into a database that is provided to, or sold to, one of the professional collection companies (that) generate and send these civil demand letters by the millions.”

Canada doesn’t have specific legislation that allows the use of demand letters, but lawyers adopted the practice here soon after the laws were passed in the U.S.

It’s not known how often the letters are sent out, but this year, Toronto had 16,667 shoplifting incidents reported to Toronto police as of October 30.

Here, an accused can sometimes wait hours for officers to attend, and if charged, are given a Form 9, which directs them to attend court at a later date. Offenders are often dealt with through the court’s Direct Accountability Office, where they receive sanctions that require them to donate money to a charity or attend a stop-shoplifting program before the charges can be stayed.

“Obviously if there’s violence involved or if violence is feared, they’re calling 911,” says Gray of store security.

For each arrest, theft prevention officers will be required to fill out a form, with details about the alleged occurrence and the accused, that will be forwarded to police. The person is also read their right to counsel, says Gray, and told they are being released. They’ll take with them a notice of apprehension that lists their name and why they were detained.

The form also stipulates that “a criminal summons may be obtained by the Toronto Police Service on that charge. The summons will be served on you at a later date, and it’s separate and apart from any civil proceedings that the victim, being the store, may commence against you,” she says.

Typically, criminal justice penalties are in place to deter others from committing a crime. Rinkoff says the ability under Shop Theft for police to charge an alleged offender at a later date should be enough to stop others from shoplifting.

Police forces in major cities around the world have been looking for ways to reduce their budgets. In London, British police don’t attend shoplifting incidents unless the stolen items are valued at 200 pounds or more, roughly $340 in Canadian dollars.

“This program is designed to process minor retail thefts in a more efficient manner,” says Rinkoff.

“It’s great for the stores because they gain efficiencies,” he says. “They’re able to have faster turnover, so their loss prevention officers are able to get back on the floor, protecting the property in their retail store.”

Peel Regional police have run a shop theft release program with large chain retailers since 1997.

More than 1,000 people were released through their program in 2017, about a quarter of all alleged shoplifting incidents in the region reported to police. Officers were required to attend the remaining incidents because the accused didn’t fit the criteria for release, which are similar to those being used by the TPS and include that the alleged offender has to be at least 18 years old and hasn’t been released through the program in the past 12 months.

The program has been a success, says Sgt. Mike Lockington, who is in charge of crime prevention for Peel Regional police.

“Stores benefit because loss prevention officers can get back on the floor looking for more offenders,” he says. “The less of a drain on resources for police the better and the same for the retailers.”

[ad_2]

Source link

قالب وردپرس

Anglais

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Published

on

By

Get a taste of adventure with Starburst XXXtreme based on the legendary NetEnt Game. The nostalgic themes are sure to capture fans of the classic version as they get treated to higher intensity, better visuals, and features. The most significant element of the game is its volatility. Patience will not be an essential virtue considering the insane gameplay, and there is a lot of win potential involved. It retains the original makeup of the previous game while adding a healthy dose of adrenaline. 

Starburst Visuals and Symbols

The game is definitely more conspicuous than before. The setting happens over a 5-reel, 3-row game grid with nine fixed win lines, which function if a succession from the left to the right reel is present. Only those players that that attain the highest win per bet line are paid. From a visual standpoint, the Starburst XXXtreme slots illustrates lightning effects behind the reels, which is not surprising as it is inherited from the original version. Available themes include Classic, Jewels, and Space. The game is also available in both desktop and mobile versions, which is advantageous for players considering the global pandemic. According to Techguide, American gamers are increasingly having more engaging gaming experiences to socialize to fill the gap of in-person interaction. Starburst XXXtreme allows them to fill the social void at a time when there is so much time to be had indoors. 

Starburst XXXTreme Features

Players get to alternate on three features which are Starburst Wilds, XXXtreme Spins, and Random Wilds. The first appears on reels 2,3, or 4. When these land, they expand to cover all positions while also calculating the wins. They are also locked for a respin. If a new one hits, it also becomes locked while awarding another respin. Starburst XXXtreme offers a choice between two scenarios for a higher stake. In one scenario with a ten times stake, the Starburst Wild is set on random on reels 2,3, or 4, and a multiplier starts the respin. The second scenario, which has a 95 times stake, starts with two guaranteed starburst wilds on reels 2,3, or 4. it also plays out using respin game sequence and features. The game also increases the potential with the Random Wilds feature to add Starburst Wilds to a vacant reel at the end of a spin. Every Starburst Wild gives a random multiplier with potential wins of x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, x100, or even x150.

The new feature is sure to be a big hit with the gaming market as online gambling has shown significant growth during the lockdown. AdAge indicates the current casino customer base is an estimated one in five Americans, so Starburst XXXtreme’s additional features will achieve considerable popularity. 

What We Think About The Game

The gambling market has continued to diversify post-pandemic, so it is one of the most opportune times to release an online casino-based game. Thankfully Starburst XXXtreme features eye-catching visuals, including the jewels and space themes. These attract audience participation and make the gameplay inviting. The game also has a nostalgic edge. The previous NetEnt iteration featured similar visuals and gameplay, so the audience has some familiarity with it. The producers have revamped this version by tweaking the features to improve the volatility and engagement. 

That is characterized by the potential win cap of 200,000 times the bet. Starburst XXXtreme does not just give betting alternatives for players that want to go big. The increase of multipliers also provides a great experience. If the respins in the previous version were great, knowing that multipliers can go hundreds of times overtakes the game to a new level. 

Players should get excited about this offering. All of the features can be triggered within a single spin. Whether one plays the standard game or takes the XXXtreme spin route, it is possible to activate all of the features. Of course, the potential 200,000 times potential is a huge carrot. However, the bet size is probably going to be restricted and vary depending on the casino. It is also worth pointing out that a malfunction during the gameplay will void all of the payouts and progress. Overall, the game itself has been designed to provide a capped win of 200,000 times the original bet. 

Continue Reading

Anglais

‘We’re back’: Montreal festival promoters happy to return but looking to next year

Published

on

By

In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.

In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.

Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.

Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”

“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.

The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.

When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.

“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”

Continue Reading

Anglais

MELS new major movie studio to be built in Montreal

Published

on

By

MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.

MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.

The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.

The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.

Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.

STUDIO SHORTAGE

The film industry is cramped in Montreal.

According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.

With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.

Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »

« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.

She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.

« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.

There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.

« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.

Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.

For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.

Continue Reading
Styles De Vie6 mois ago

MAPEI Canada inaugure l’agrandissement de son usine à Laval, au Québec

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Le Gala Elles reconnaissent célèbre les femmes remarquables de l’industrie de la construction

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Préparez votre maison pour l’hiver afin d’éviter les réclamations d’assurance

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Quatre façons de commencer à travailler dans le domaine des ventes

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

La Commission indépendante soutient le recours de la Cour suprême contre le déni des droits des non-francophones par le Québec

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Justin Trudeau est un raciste contre les Noirs et les Premières Nations – 14 signes

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Enfants aux études loin de la maison : Trois conseils pour veiller à la santé de leurs finances

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Règles et règlements que toutes les entreprises canadiennes doivent connaître

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Épargnez pour l’avenir grâce à nos trucs financiers pour la rentrée

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Efficacité énergétique: 10 façons économiques de l’améliorer

Actualités2 années ago

Ces légendes du baccara vous dévoilent leurs secrets

Affaires2 années ago

Retard de vol : le devoir de la compagnie envers ses passagers

Anglais3 années ago

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Opinions3 années ago

Même les jeunes RÉPUBLIQUES se lassent du capitalisme, selon les sondeurs américains — RT USA News

Opinions3 années ago

« Aucune crise climatique ne causera la fin du capitalisme ! »

Opinions3 années ago

Innovation : le capitalisme « responsable », faux problème et vraie diversion

Opinions3 années ago

Vers la fin du Capitalocène ?

Opinions3 années ago

Le “capitalisme viral” peut-il sauver la planète ?

Opinions3 années ago

Livre : comment le capitalisme a colonisé les esprits

Opinions3 années ago

Patrick Artus : « Le capitalisme d’aujourd’hui est économiquement inefficace »

Anglais5 années ago

Body found after downtown Lethbridge apartment building fire, police investigating – Lethbridge

Santé Et Nutrition4 années ago

Comment aider un bébé à développer son goût

Anglais5 années ago

Head of Toronto Community Housing placed on paid leave

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Salon du chocolat 2018: les 5 temps forts

Anglais5 années ago

This B.C. woman’s recipe is one of the most popular of all time — and the story behind it is bananas

Santé Et Nutrition5 années ago

Gluten-Free Muffins

Santé Et Nutrition5 années ago

We Try Kin Euphorics and How to REALLY Get the Glow | Healthyish

Anglais5 années ago

Man facing eviction from family home on Toronto Islands gets reprieve — for now

Anglais5 années ago

Condo developer Thomas Liu — who collected millions but hasn’t built anything — loses court fight with Town of Ajax

Anglais5 années ago

27 CP Rail cars derail near Lake Louise, Alta.

Anglais5 années ago

Ontario’s Tories hope Ryan Gosling video will keep supporters from breaking up with the party

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Renaud Capuçon, rédacteur en chef du Figaroscope

Mode5 années ago

Paris : chez Cécile Roederer co-fondatrice de Smallable

Anglais5 années ago

Ontario Tories argue Trudeau’s carbon plan is ‘unconstitutional’

Anglais5 années ago

100 years later, Montreal’s Black Watch regiment returns to Wallers, France

Anglais5 années ago

Trudeau government would reject Jason Kenney, taxpayers group in carbon tax court fight

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Ford Ranger Raptor, le pick-up roule des mécaniques

Affaires5 années ago

Le Forex devient de plus en plus accessible aux débutants

Anglais4 années ago

The Bill Gates globalist vaccine depopulation agenda… as revealed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Anglais5 années ago

Province’s push for private funding, additional stops puts Scarborough subway at risk of delays

Trending

slot server jepang
judi slot pulsa