RR closer to having Neighbourhood Watch program

By Jack Elliott Correspondent About two dozen Rainy River residents frustrated by ongoing incidents of petty vandalism in Rainy River as well as a few more serious break and enter incidents this past summer attended an information meeting at the Rainy River High School on Thursday evening, October 18. Community Policing officer, Constable Doug Irish with the OPP provided copies of the Neighbourhood Watch program entitled ‘A Secure Lifestyle’. Sponsored by Aviva Canada, a leading property and casualty insurance company and endorsed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. A complete description of the Neighbourhood Watch program is available from their website www.neighbourhoodwatchregistry.com/. Under a Neighbourhood Watch program, a loose organization composed of a steering committee of concerned citizens would elect Block Captains and assistants to help organize and enhance basic neighbourhood security. Perhaps the best summary of Neighbourhood Watch is one paragraph from the website: “Neighbourhood Watch is a program aimed at reducing crime in the community by having neighbours watch out for each other. By working together and with the Police Services, Neighbourhood Watch can help prevent crime.” We have a very low incidence of ‘break and enter’s, vandalism, and criminal activity in Rainy River reported to the OPP, explained Irish. Unfortunately many incidents simply go unreported to the OPP, he added, noting lack of reporting leave policing agencies unable to direct resources at these problems. Some attendees wondered if it re-instituting the curfew for minors that used to exist in Rainy River would not be a positive step, but it was pointed out enforcing a curfew would require a Town bylaw officer, as bylaw enforcement it is outside the mandate of the OPP. Ron McAlister noted the Rec Board was working on properly equipping a skate board park that would give youth an area to pursue that activity without abusing steps, raised flower beds, and other private and public areas. Irish explained that under Neighbourhood Watch structure, incidents of witnessed crimes or suspicious activities would be reported to the OPP who would act on the information. Anonymity would be maintained much as it is under the Crimestoppers program. Other features of Neighbourhood Watch as important, if not more so, is the education of the community on how to maintain the security and safety of our homes and property through identification, proper lighting, vehicle security, and good communications with ones neighbours. In short community residents should crime proof themselves, and prevent crime rather than react to it. By the conclusion of the meeting, many members had expressed interest in further pursuing the Neighbourhood Watch program, with a substantial group volunteering to sit on a steering committee. Organizational meeting of that committee is currently scheduled for Nov 15 with time and location to be confirmed. Photo by Jack Elliott: Irish ; “ Community Policing Officer, Constable Doug Irish headed the Neighbourhood Watch information meeting in Rainy River attended by two dozen Town residents who have been frustrated in their attempts to prevent ongoing acts of petty vandalism.”