Neighbourhood Watch comes to Strathmore

Times Reporter 

 

Neighbourhood Watch has come to Strathmore as a way to respond to reports of crimes last year. Community members, along with the Strathmore RCMP, formed the group to help try to bring an end to what seemed like an increasing amount of property and vehicle-related crimes. 

“Essentially it was formed in response to crime that was occurring specifically in Strathmore and a way to get community members involved with what’s happening in Strathmore,” said Const. Shannon White with the Strathmore RCMP detachment and liaison for the group. 

“Neighbourhood Watch is an extra set of eyes out there in the community looking for those suspicious activities because no one knows their community better than those who live in it. A police car driving by may not recognize a vehicle as not belonging on that street, but a neighbour who knows that their neighbour is out of town and that vehicle shouldn’t be there will.

“The goal of Neighbourhood Watch is, with the support of the RCMP, learn to recognize suspicious activities, when to report to police, encouraging people to get to know their neighbours and provide those additional eyes in the area.”

White said once every two months a meeting is held for Neighbourhood Watch members. She said they go over a number of topics like crime statistics, how to report a crime, when to report a crime, when to call 911 and recognizing suspicious activity. The meetings and training helps differentiate what may be just a person walking down the street versus someone suspicious scoping out the area. 

If there are any concerns in a neighbourhood a watch member lives in, they can also be brought forward into the meetings for discussion. 

“I think one of the most surprising things that I discovered is that people didn’t know what number to call. What we’re finding is people are calling 911 for everything because they don’t know the right number to call, and what’s happening is we’re finding a very delayed dispatch,” said White. 

“People didn’t realize the 934-3968 is the office hours but for non-emergency office hours it’s 934-3535.”

The difference between Citizens On Patrol and Neighbourhood Watch is you don’t have to leave your house; it’s just about being aware about what’s going on in your community and knowing your neighbours.

“People are calling in now more when they recognize suspicious activity and we’ve been really successful in locating and charging people who are responsible,” said White. 

She is seeing success from the program and said they are catching the suspects. White said if someone does call in suspicious activity it’s important they are available for call back. If it’s a crime in progress, White said, that’s a 911 call and the caller should remain on the phone to keep the police informed about what is happening, if the suspect has taken off and which direction. 

Anyone can join Neighbourhood Watch; White says the more people involved the better. Those wanting to get involved can call the Strathmore detachment at 403-934-3968 and ask for Const. Shannon White.