By Jack Elliott
Contributor

Thursday evening, May 8, Rainy River’s Neighbourhood Watch met to review their concerns and consider future direction.
A dozen concerned individuals were in attendance including chair Marilyn McAlister. Attendance by OPP Community Police representative had been requested but could not be scheduled.
Jack Elliott filled in details on a recent vandalism incident at his home on First St and commended neighbours for their immediate support during and following the vandalism and the OPP on their speedy resolution of that incident. He also outlined steps he is undertaking to help prevent a similar recurrence. The responsible party has pleaded guilty and been incarcerated.
Other concerns on the time for response to 911 calls, specifically a 2 3⁄4 hour response time to a reported break in at Rainy River High School days earlier, was not as generous.
Consensus was serious, violent vandalism in the community was not a major problem, but property damage perpetrated by juveniles is.
The reluctance to report these acts to the police by many witnesses is a significant reason these type acts cannot be reduced stated Mayor Deb Ewald. If youths feel they can carry on this type of behaviour with impunity, there is little to deter them, she added, urging witnesses to report all incidents of vandalism to the authourities.
Ewald outlined the court procedures and options involved in disciplining juvenile first time offenders in these incidents, and reminded the group that parents are liable for damages caused by their juvenile children.
Parents have to be responsible by setting a proper example,” stated Gerry Jolicoeur, detailing the littering problem around such venues as the ballpark and the refusal of parents in attendance to discipline their children.
It was agreed the bulk of problems were caused by a very small fraction of the population and all youths should not be condemned for the actions of those few.
Future action of the group is directed towards continuing to seek a meeting with the OPP Community Policing representative and investigating the possibility of involving Crime Stoppers in solving past incidents including the extensive damage caused by the recent break in at the Recreation Centre. Members also took home information on Neighbourhood Watch to distribute to their neighbours.