TORONTO, October 30, 2026 – York Regional Police announced the launch of Project Fallback, a seasonal home break-in prevention initiative, in Vaughan on October 30. The campaign will increase neighbourhood patrols, crime prevention efforts and public safety awareness as daylight saving time comes to an end. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca and Richmond Hill Mayor David West attended the announcement and addressed residents’ concerns about community safety.
Police said residential break-ins tend to occur more frequently between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. during the fall and winter months, when darkness arrives earlier in the evening. November and December have traditionally been among the months with higher numbers of break-ins across York Region.
However, the overall number of break-ins in York Region has declined in recent years. According to police data, there were 1,511 incidents in 2023, 1,480 in 2024 and 1,469 in 2025. As of October 30, a total of 786 break-ins had been recorded in 2026.
York Regional Police Chief Paolo Da Silva said Project Fallback will combine public education, crime data analysis and targeted patrols. Police will identify priority areas based on where incidents occur and continue investigating individuals suspected of involvement in residential break-ins.
Superintendent Blair Steer, who is overseeing the initiative, explained that some burglars target homes with backyards connected to green spaces, golf courses or ravines. These locations may allow suspects to enter properties from the rear and reduce the likelihood of being noticed by neighbours.
Police have also identified clusters of incidents near Highways 400, 404 and 407, where suspects may be able to leave the area quickly.
Investigators have observed that some suspects repeatedly drive through residential neighbourhoods before committing a break-in to assess their surroundings. Others may disguise themselves as construction workers by wearing reflective vests and hard hats or carrying tool bags and ladders. They may then ring doorbells or linger near entrances to determine whether anyone is home.
Speaking at the announcement, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca said residential break-ins and vehicle theft remain among the public safety concerns he hears most frequently from residents. Even when statistics show that crime is declining, he noted that rebuilding residents’ sense of security takes time.
In response to a question from CCTVmedium, Del Duca said Project Fallback also sends a message to residents that police and local governments will not reduce their prevention efforts simply because reported incidents have declined. He said resources will continue to be directed toward the community safety issues residents care about most.
Richmond Hill Mayor David West, responding to a question from CCTVmedium, said community safety requires cooperation among police, local governments and residents. He emphasized that improving public safety requires sustained efforts and encouraged residents to report suspicious individuals, vehicles or unusual activities to police.
Following the announcement, Superintendent Blair Steer told CCTVmedium in a separate interview that police want members of the Chinese, Vietnamese and all other communities across York Region to feel safe in their homes.
Steer said officers will increase patrols in residential neighbourhoods across Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan. Police will also use resources including automatic licence plate recognition technology, surveillance systems and police dogs to support investigations.
Steer reminded residents that they do not need to open the door when an unfamiliar person knocks. Instead, they can turn on indoor lights or communicate through a smart doorbell to make it clear that someone is home.
Residents who notice individuals lingering near homes, observing properties for extended periods or engaging in other suspicious behaviour are encouraged to contact police.
Police recommend that residents keep doors, windows and vehicles locked, check their alarm systems and outdoor lighting, and avoid leaving spare keys or garage door openers inside vehicles.
When leaving home for extended periods, residents should also avoid visible signs that a property is unoccupied, such as accumulated mail, unattended packages or uncleared snow.
York Regional Police said information provided by residents, including descriptions of suspicious vehicles, surveillance footage and other tips, can help investigators identify suspects and prevent future break-ins.
（LJI by Yuanyuan）
