Clear Zone program now at Hagersville Circle K to deter robberies

By Kaitlyn Clark

The Haldimand Press

HAGERSVILLE—After two robberies in under four months, Circle K in Hagersville is implementing a new safety initiative to deter future crimes at the store.

Circle K Corporate has a number of initiatives to reduce robberies and thefts in their stores. Sean Sportun, Manager of Security and Loss Prevention for Circle K’s Central Canada Division, paid a special visit to the Hagersville store on August 21, 2019 to install their newest initiative: Clear Zone.

“The Clear Zone robbery prevention program works by identifying a prominent window that strategically overlooks the cash handling area. It then highlights and defines that window through the application of the Clear Zone decal to draw in witness potential and acts as a reminder to store owners to keep the window free of signage and the area free of clutter,” explains the Circle K Crime Busters website.

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The store on Main Street North was robbed this year first on February 19. A lone male entered the store with his face covered at about 4 a.m., brandished a handgun, jumped over the counter, demanded money, took several items, and then fled. Then on June 15, a different lone male entered the store, brandished an edged weapon, demanded cash, and fled. While a 17-year-old youth from Hagersville was charged in the second robbery, no suspect was identified in the first robbery. The store was also previously robbed in 2016, 2012, and 2006.

Neil Unwin, Chair of Crime Stoppers of Haldimand Norfolk, said, “Convenience stores being convenience stores, they tend to cover their windows in. This (program) puts a framework around the window so people and law enforcement can see into the cashier area.”