TIPS by Peel Crime Stoppers

In this special Canada Day episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci speaks with Peel Crime Stoppers Chair Imran Hasan about his appointment as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment. They discuss leadership, community service, the importance of building safer communities and Imran's journey from immigrant to business leader and public safety advocate. The episode also features a...

As Elder Abuse Awareness Month comes to a close, this episode of TIPS brings together legal and community perspectives on protecting older adults and supporting families through complex life transitions. Host Julia Vellucci is joined by Deonah Francis, a social worker with Mississauga Community Legal Services, and Sabrina Parboodial, an associate at Gold Family Law. Together, they discuss elder ab...

As June marks Elder Abuse Awareness Month, this episode of TIPS explores the legal, ethical, and practical issues that can impact older adults and their families. Host Julia Vellucci is joined by Melissa Miller, partner at Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP, for a conversation about elder abuse, seniors' rights, long-term care, financial exploitation, and family decision-making. Together, they discuss w...

In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci explores the often hidden and misunderstood realities of elder abuse in Canada. Julia is joined by Bénédicte Schoepflin, executive director of the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, for a conversation focused on awareness, prevention, and education. Together, they discuss the different forms elder abuse can take including financial expl...

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, so in this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci explores the often-overlooked realities of elder abuse, senior safety, and the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of older adults. Julia is joined by Amy Friesen founder of Tea & Toast, best-selling author, educator, speaker, and one of Canada's leading experts in helping seniors and families navi...

Mental health struggles and unmanaged stress can quietly build over time, sometimes escalating into crisis before the warning signs are recognized. In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci concludes this mini mental health series for May by exploring mental wellness as a form of prevention through practical conversations focused on awareness, coping, and early intervention. Julia speaks with r...

Mental health struggles and addiction can affect anyone, even those working in careers built around protecting others. In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci chats with Leo Petrilli for the second time on this podcast. They share a deeply personal and honest conversation about addiction, recovery, mental health, and life in law enforcement. After spending 36 years in law enforcement while pr...

Mental health and the justice system often intersect in complicated and deeply human ways but where is the line between getting help and being criminalized? This episode of TIPS explores just that as host Julia Vellucci continues the growing conversation around mental health, public safety, and the criminal justice system in this mental health mini series for May. Julia is joined by criminal defen...

This episode of TIPS is the first in a five-part mental health series for the month of May. As we kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, we focus on awareness, early support, and the power of connection. At Crime Stoppers, recognizing when something isn’t right and taking action is at the core of what we do, and that same approach applies to mental health. By understanding the signs and supportin...

Child abuse and exploitation don’t always look the way people expect. Often, they happen in ways that are difficult to recognize. In this episode of TIPS, we explore the realities of child and youth abuse, including the different forms it can take, the warning signs to look out for, and how grooming can begin and escalate over time. Host Julia Vellucci is joined by Audrey Rastin, director of educa...

Human trafficking often happens in ways that are hidden and misunderstood. In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci explores both labour and sex trafficking. Topics of discussion include how exploitation begins, the warning signs to watch for and how awareness can help prevent it. Julia is joined by James McLean who is the director of policy and research at the Canadian Centre to End Human Tra...

As spring arrives, many of us are opening up our homes, tackling renovations, and getting ready to spend more time outdoors, but with the change in season comes new safety risks. In this episode of TIPS, we focus on emergency preparedness and fire prevention during the busy spring months. With yard cleanups, outdoor burning and home projects on the rise, knowing how to prevent emergencies before t...

As spring arrives and homeowners begin opening their windows and spending more time outdoors, this episode of TIPS focuses on crime prevention and protecting your home from opportunistic break-ins. Host Julia Vellucci is joined by Tom Reimer, president and founder of Metalex Security Products. Together, they discuss the importance of visible deterrents, overlooked areas of the home and simple, pra...

This episode of TIPS is dedicated to educating Canadians about the growing threat of fraud and the tactics scammers use to target victims. Host Julia Vellucci is joined by two experts on this very topic: Jeff Horncastle, the client and communications outreach officer for the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Andrew Dickson, the director of financial education, research and fraud prevention at the Can...

March is Fraud and Scam Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the growing threat of scams and fraud in today’s digital world. As technology continues to evolve, scammers are finding new ways to target people online and increasingly, young people are becoming a focus. In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci is joined by Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmar...

In this special International Women’s Day episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci sits down with Pamela Barnum, former undercover police officer, federal prosecutor, and trust expert. Together they explore her remarkable journey in male-dominated fields like policing and crime prevention. Pamela shares the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and the successes that shaped her career, offeri...

March 1 marks Self-Injury Awareness Day, a time to break stigma, encourage understanding, and remind those who may be struggling that they are not alone. In this important episode of TiPS, host Julia Vellucci speaks with Michael Braithwaite, CEO of Jack.org, and Colleen Mousseau, Clinical Director, Co-owner and CEO of AWC Grief Support. Together, they explore the realities of self-injury, why it h...

In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci honours National Human Trafficking Awareness Day by discussing the realities of human trafficking in Canada with two fantastic guests. She speaks with the executive director of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, Julia Drydyk and the Interim Manager of the Anti-Human Trafficking Program at Covenant House, Rachel George. Together, they discuss...

This episode of TIPS comes the day after Valentine's, taking a closer look at the difference between love and control. In this episode, host Julia Vellucci explores stalking, coercive control, relationship safety, and why it’s important to recognize the warning signs that can sometimes be hidden behind grand gestures or intense affection. While healthy relationships are built on trust and respect,...

In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci is joined by Jonah Fried, Communications Specialist and Researcher at B’nai Brith Canada, for an in-depth conversation on hate crimes, reporting barriers, and the role communities play in preventing harm. From understanding legal definitions to examining patterns of antisemitism in Toronto, this episode highlights why anonymous reporting and collective...

In this episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci takes a closer look at hate crimes through the lens of history, trust, and community responsibility. Timed with Black History Month, Julia is joined by Adrian Leckie, the project manager of Black Legal Action Centre's BLAC Out Hate Project, for an honest conversation about why hate crimes so often go unreported, how historical and systemic factors shape...

In the final episode of Crime Stoppers’ 50th anniversary series, host Julia Vellucci is joined by two leaders whose careers span decades of policing and public safety. The Honourable Julian Fantino, retired police executive and former federal cabinet minister, and Allan Burns, President of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers, reflect on the evolution of Crime Stoppers and the enduring import...

In another special 50th anniversary episode of TIPS, host Julia Vellucci sits down with Belleville's Chief of Police Murray Rodd and Deputy Chief Sheri Meeks to reflect on the impact of anonymous reporting and the vital role Crime Stoppers continues to play in keeping communities safe. Together, they discuss the evolution of the program, the importance of public trust, and how everyday people can...

In another special 50th anniversary episode of Crime Stoppers, host Julia Vellucci speaks with Scott Mills, a 26-year Toronto Police Service veteran who has helped reshape community policing through social media, mental health advocacy, and youth engagement. As TPS’s Social Media Officer, Scott uses digital platforms to build trust, intervene in crisis situations, and connect with the public. Know...

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Crime Stoppers. In this episode of TIPS by Peel Crime Stoppers, host Julia Vellucci honours the legacy of Crime Stoppers founder Greg MacAllese and reflects on five decades of anonymous reporting, community partnership, and crime prevention. Julia is joined by Cal Millar, retired Toronto Star general assignment reporter and longtime Crime Stoppers advocate....