Safety

The City of St. John’s, in collaboration with the Building Safer Communities Steering Committee and community-based service providers, developed a comprehensive, evidence-based Building Safer Communities Strategy by engaging residents, service providers, people with lived expertise, and other collaborators.

The Strategy represents a significant step forward in our commitment to make the City of St. John’s a safe and inclusive place where every resident can live, learn, work, play, and thrive without fear of violence and crime.

The strategy and related work is supported by funding from the Public Safety Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF).

This page provides residents with information and resources to help keep our community safe.

Click the links below to learn more about:

• Reporting Crime and Violence
• Where to Get Help
• Safety Tips and Prevention Tools
• City Programs 
• Free Online Training and Education Resources

Reporting Crime and Violence

Reporting cannot be done through this page. If it is an emergency and you need a police officer, please call 911 immediately.

Non-emergency reports can be made by phone or in person to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary at a detachment office.

• Telephone: 1-709-729-8000
•  Deaf / Hard of Hearing TTY: 1-800-363-4334

Certain incidents may be reported online using the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary’s Online Reporting Form.

• Lost property
• Theft under $5,000
• Theft from a motor vehicle
• Property damage
• Damage to a vehicle
• Motor vehicle accidents

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

In Newfoundland and Labrador, it is the law that every person immediately report suspected abuse and/or neglect for children (under age 16) and youth (ages 16 and 17).

To report suspected child abuse and/or neglect of a child (under age 16) and/or a youth (ages 16 & 17), call toll-free 1-833-552-2368.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police.

Where to Get Help

There are many organizations and services available to support residents in times of need. To make it easier to find help, we’ve collected a list of trusted resources in one place.

Download our Resources and Supports PDF for contact information for the following:

• Emergency – 911
• Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
• NL HealthLine – 811
• THRIVE Directory
• Newfoundland and Labrador Crimestoppers
• Domestic Violence Help Line
• Intimate Partner Violence Unit (IPVU)
• Sexual Violence Support and Information Line
• Victim Services
• Mental Health Support: Bridge the Gapp
• SeniorsNL Information and Referral Line
• Immigration Options for Victims of Family Violence
• Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
• Office of the Seniors’ Advocate
• 211 Newfoundland and Labrador
• Citizens’ Crime Prevention Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

Safety Tips and Tools

We’ve gathered a selection of resources to help residents, families, and youth stay informed and take steps toward safety and prevention. These tools offer practical guidance on reducing risks, protecting yourself and others, and knowing where to turn for support.

Residents

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) - City of Edmonton Neighbourhood Empowerment Team
• Prevent Violence and Abuse – Government of Canada
• Protection from Frauds and Scams – Government of Canada
• Reporting Hate, Finding Support: A Toolkit for Communities – Canadian Race Relations Foundation
• 2025 Crime Prevention Guide - Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association

Children and Youth

• Family Violence Information for Children and Youth – Government of Canada
• Youth Resources, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• K-12 Resources – Violence Prevention Avalon East
• Children’s Internet Safety Guide – Citizens’ Crime Prevention Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Risk and Protective Factors – City of St. John’s (pdf)

Seniors and Older People

• Seniors’ Guidebook to Safety and Security, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Elder Abuse - Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime

Businesses

• Business Crime Prevention Kit, Wood Buffalo Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Business Security Checklist, City of Red Deer
• Retail Safety and Security Guide - Retail Council of Canada

Newcomers, Immigrants and Racialized People

• A Future without Gender-Based Violence: Building Newcomers’ Resilience through Community Education: A Toolkit for Service Providers - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
• Gender-Based Violence Prevention: A Guide to Working with Newcomers - YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth
• Cyber Security Toolkit for Newcomers to Canada – Canadian Bankers Association

City Programs

The City of St. John’s offers a range of programs designed to strengthen community connections, promote safety, and support prevention. These initiatives help residents look out for one another, access safe spaces and opportunities, and build healthier neighbourhoods. Learn more about how each program contributes to a safer, more connected city:

• Neighbourhood Watch - A community-based program that encourages neighbours to look out for one another and work together with the RNC to reduce crime and improve safety in their area.
• Pet Safekeeping Program - Provides temporary shelter and care for pets when their owners are leaving unsafe living situations.
• REAL Program - Helps children and youth access recreation and leisure opportunities by covering program costs for families facing financial barriers.
• Trail Explorers - A guided program that encourages residents to explore the City’s trail system while learning about nature, safety, and active living.
• Neighbourhood Connect - Supports residents in building stronger, safer neighbourhoods through activities, events, and information-sharing.
• RECconnect - An online tool to help residents discover, register, and participate in City recreation programs and activities.

Free Online Training and Education Resources

The following free online training opportunities provide education, awareness, and practical tools to help prevent violence, support community safety, and promote equity. These courses are self-paced, accessible from anywhere, and in some cases offer certificates upon completion.

• Empowering Them E-Course, St. John’s Women’s Centre: This is an online course to understand and explore the impacts that gender-based violence has on all of us. It is completely virtual, interactive, and you can complete it at your own pace. A certificate is available upon completion.

• Notified Virtual Training, Thrive CYN: This self-paced learning platform is designed for youth and adults, providing education on online sexual exploitation and offering resources to support those who have been affected by such exploitation.
• Working Together to End Abuse, Neighbours, Friends, and Families - This course has been designed as support for anyone who is concerned about people who experience intimate partner violence. A certificate is available upon completion.
• Introduction to Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) Plus, Government of Canada - This course provides guidance on GBA Plus as an analytical tool to assess how the needs and experiences of different groups of people are influenced by intersecting parts of their identity, the context they are in and their lived experiences. A certificate is available upon completion.

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