Neighbourhood Watch is formalized in Rainy River

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

Thursday, November 15, a steering committee under the leadership of Marilyn McAlister met at the Rainy River High School to formalize the establishment of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee in Rainy River. Eight Rainy River Citizens, plus OPP Community Policing Office, Doug Irish were in attendance.
Since an initial information meeting in October, McAlister has approached those willing to serve as Block Captains or other functions, and plotted their locations- seventeen in all- on a town map. The community is pretty well covered, with the exception of just a couple of streets.
Over the next months packages explaining the operation of Neighbourhood Watch will be made available by visits to town residents by NW volunteers and through local businesses.
NW will also be cooperating with Crime Stoppers and Irish informed the meeting, Gary Potter with Crime Stoppers out of Kenora has developed a presentation aimed at the community and its schools. It is hoped an event in Rainy River can be organized for early in the New Year.
It was again emphasized at this meeting that Neighbourhood Watch is not a vigilante gang, but rather Neighbours simply watching out for their neighbours to enhance community security. One of the aspects of this is simply reporting suspicious activity you might see in your area directly to the OPP, or to a block captain or the steering committee, who will then pass it along to the OPP. You will not be required to identify yourself and your anonymity is guaranteed.
It has been noted when vandals or other miscreants are aware their deeds will have consequences and will be reported to the authourities, occurrence of these type incidents tend to decrease, says Irish.
Anyone wishing more information on the Neighbourhood Watch program or wishing to report suspicious occurrences, whether it be vandalism, trespass, or bullying or any other illegal activity is urged to contact Marilyn McAlister at 852-3979.
Rainy River is the only community in Northwestern Ontario with a currently active Neighbourhood Watch Program.