Claims of east-end break-in frenzy ‘just not true,’ police say

Sault-based Neighbourhood Watch Facebook pages are reporting high numbers of break and enters in the city.

Very high numbers indeed.

A post on a Facebook page known as ‘Neighbourhood Watch Ward 1 Sault Ste. Marie Ontario,’ said Sault Police Cst. Sonny Spina, indicated “Police stated that there have been over 80 break-ins over the past four days. Be vigilant and keep watching.”

Those four days were from Aug. 18 to 21.

“That was concerning to me because that’s not accurate at all. In fact, in four days, there have been only nine break and enters across the entire city,” Spina told SooToday Wednesday.

“I certainly did provide the accurate information to the individuals on the page because I want to make sure everyone has accurate information from the Police Service.”

Spina posted a response on the Neighbourhood Watch Ward 1 Sault Ste. Marie Ontario page, encouraging people to contact him directly at (705) 949-6300 ext. 259 with any questions or concerns.

“One of the questions I’ve asked is where this information is coming from because I want to see if we can ensure that proper, accurate information is shared with the public. We don’t want inaccurate information being shared because it leads to, obviously, some difficult situations,” Spina said, who added he has had helpful discussions with members of the Ward 1 Facebook page.

Another Facebook page, entitled ‘Neighbourhood Watch in Sault Ste. Marie Ont.,’ stated there were 70 break and enters in two days, Spina said.

“That was not accurate and I reached out to that individual as well,” Spina said.

In addition to the nine break and enters reported over the past four days, Spina said there have been, in the same time period, 38 thefts, including thefts from vehicles (thefts being classified separately from break and enters), across the city.

“Even if you were to combine those numbers (of break-ins and thefts), it’s still a far cry off from the 80 that were reported on this Facebook page,” Spina said.

“If that was true that would be very concerning, but it’s just not true.”