The Niagara Regional Police Service has launched a new, formalized Neighbourhood Watch program across the region, including Grimsby, to help residents work more closely with law enforcement on community safety.
The initiative, which officially began on May 12, 2026, is managed by the police service’s Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit. The goal is to provide residents with effective tools to build awareness, share information responsibly, and understand the proper ways to report concerns to the police.
Deputy Chief Mario Lagrotteria noted that the program is intended to formalize the process for community groups. The move follows concerns raised by a police board report earlier this year regarding informal online neighbourhood watch groups, which often operate without police involvement. Authorities warned that such groups can sometimes lead to the identification of suspects in ways that promote vigilantism, rather than following legal reporting procedures.
The Neighbourhood Watch program explicitly clarifies that these groups are not vigilante forces, are not designed for participants to take personal risks, and cannot guarantee that crime will not occur. Residents are encouraged to use the official Neighbourhood Watch Tool Kit, which includes a registration form and educational video.
Grimsby residents, who are served by 8 District, can reach out for more information or help organizing a local group by calling the station at 905-945-2211. The CORE Unit, which supports these efforts, is staffed by 16 constables and 3 sergeants and originated as a pilot project focused on community outreach and problem-oriented policing.
