HOPA to strengthen crime prevention
HOPA Ports, through its Harbour Master’s Office/Port Patrol, joined Crime Stoppers of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Service to launch the “Crime Doesn’t Anchor Here” campaign, an initiative designed to enhance crime prevention efforts across port lands in Hamilton.
The campaign is part of a broader, city‑wide effort led by Crime Stoppers of Hamilton, building on the successful “Crime Doesn’t Fly Here” initiative launched with John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
The initiative includes awareness training, employee and partner engagement, new signage and posters across port properties, and public‑facing safety messaging to help identify and report suspicious or criminal activity.
“Our port community spans dozens of industrial tenants, hundreds of vessel calls and thousands of workers annually,” said Vicki Gruber, Director, Safety & Security / Harbour Master, HOPA Ports. “While the Port operates with robust security measures, this campaign adds another layer of vigilance, empowering our workforce and the public with tools to report suspicious activity and contribute directly to community safety.”
“This campaign is an important step in strengthening community awareness and a shared responsibility across our waterfront,” said Ali Fahad, ICPS, SAS®, Chair of Crime Stoppers of Hamilton. “Encouraged by this strategic partnership and the continued support behind it, we are reinforcing simple, anonymous ways for people to speak up when something doesn’t seem right. Together, through this city wide initiative, we are helping to keep our waterfront, and our city as a whole, safe, secure, and welcoming.”
The Crime Doesn’t Anchor Here campaign is part of a broader, province‑wide initiative developed originally by Toronto Crime Stoppers to target transnational and organized crime networks. The program is designed for adaptability across different transportation hubs; including ports, airports, and logistics facilities.
“Partnerships are essential to preventing and reducing crime in our community,” said Chief Frank Bergen, Hamilton Police Service. “We are proud to expand our collaboration with HOPA Ports and Crime Stoppers to support this initiative and safeguard the people who work, travel and do business along Hamilton’s working waterfront.”
Every time a tip is submitted to Crime Stoppers, it provides police with another opportunity to prevent or solve a crime, while giving the community a safe and confidential way to take action.
