Ontario MPP Collaborates with Police to Host Community Anti-Theft Seminar

In recent years, public safety in Canada has been deteriorating, especially in the Greater Toronto Area where many Chinese Canadians reside. The number of home burglary cases has increased significantly, making community safety a focal point of residents' concerns once again. According to Toronto Police statistics, residential break-and-enter incidents last year alone rose by over 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels. In some areas, multiple homes on the same street were burglarized.

To raise public awareness of safety precautions, Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Jonathan Tsao hosted a community safety seminar in North York on November 15. Representatives from Toronto Police's 33 Division, along with safety and insurance experts from iTalkBB, A-Z Insurance, and Conch Canada, were invited to share their insights.

The seminar, open free to the public, was themed "Experts Teach You Anti-Theft Secrets." It covered multiple key aspects of home security, including how smart security systems effectively deter thieves, why burglars often give up after encountering secure doors and windows, common reasons for insurance claim denials after a burglary, and how to avoid them in advance.

In his opening remarks, MPP Jonathan Tsao stated: "Events like this are incredibly important. They give us an opportunity to discuss the challenges our community is facing together — new trends in home burglaries, the rise in targeted scams, and how to protect personal and family safety while adapting to new technologies. These are not trivial matters; they directly impact the daily lives of everyone in our community." The seminar aimed to provide residents with practical and reliable home safety advice through collaboration between police and professional organizations. Jonathan Tsao emphasized: "Every resident deserves the right to feel safe and secure at home."

At the seminar, Police Constable Victor Lai introduced the latest trends in break-and-enters and scams, and explained methods to identify and report suspicious activities. He reminded residents that homes are more likely to be targeted during festive seasons like Christmas and Lunar New Year. Residents can reduce risks by reinforcing doors and windows, installing security cameras, clearing obstructions in front of their doors, and responding when someone knocks. For assistance, they can call the non-emergency line at 416-808-2222 or file a report online.

Experts provided practical prevention suggestions based on real cases and data analysis, guiding residents to enhance safety awareness through daily life details. Penny Chiu, General Manager of iTalkBB, a Canadian Chinese telecommunications company, introduced the iTalkBB Smart Security System. She demonstrated how features like real-time mobile app notifications, remote monitoring, and E911 global one-touch emergency alerting with address can help users mitigate potential risks and enhance their sense of security at home. Penny Chiu said: "Safety is never the effort of a single person; it's the result of the community, families, and technology working together. iTalkBB is committed to using technology to improve home safety, making technology the first line of defense for families."

Ken Wang, Marketing Director of Conch Canada, shared the importance of secure doors and windows for home protection and showcased security doors and windows with anti-break-in features. The seminar also featured a unique interactive "Window Smashing Challenge": participants who could successfully smash through glass with security film had a chance to win a $1000 cash prize. Several residents participated and witnessed the protective effect of the security film.

Martin Ding, President of A-Z Insurance, provided practical advice from an insurance perspective, including how to assess the necessary insurance coverage for a home, how to prevent insurance disputes and claim denials, and how safety upgrades (like cameras, doors/windows, and sensors) can help lower insurance premiums.

At the event, iTalkBB officially announced a partnership with A-Z Insurance to jointly provide the Chinese Canadian community with more affordable, convenient, and secure one-stop lifestyle service experiences. Having served the Canadian Chinese community for over 20 years, iTalkBB has provided overseas communication and smart home services to over 2 million overseas Chinese, dedicated to building a better life for them. Penny Chiu stated: "iTalkBB is not just a telecom service provider; we aim to become the 'infrastructure' for Chinese family life. This partnership with A-Z Insurance is to allow our users to enjoy tangible value in more aspects of their daily lives." Effective immediately, all iTalkBB users can enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 8% on auto and home insurance, with no additional fees.

The seminar attracted many residents who actively asked questions and exchanged ideas, working together to strengthen the community safety net. As MPP Jonathan Tsao stated: "Safety is not just about tools; it's about the community bonds we build together. A truly safe community is one where neighbors look out for each other, not where people feel isolated; where residents feel comfortable speaking up and reporting issues. Each of us plays an important role — caring for our neighbors, sharing scam prevention information, being vigilant about unusual situations in our buildings or on our streets. These small actions will ultimately combine into a powerful force. Let's work together to create a community environment where residents feel supported, respected, and protected."

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