Neighbourhood Watch revived in community

News — 12 October 2010

Dryden will see some new signs going up in residential windows very soon. The Neighbourhood Watch program has been resurrected through the Dryden Police Service, with the help of Michelle May.

May was one of the original co-founders for the Dryden organization in the early ’90s, but upon her departure from the Dryden Police Service (DPS), the organization did not continue much longer.

Following a public meeting in September that was attended by approximately 30 people, many volunteers have signed up to be either regular members or block/zone captains.

“Neighbourhood Watch is you assisting the police by giving the details required to help us do the investigation or to stop the crime,” explains Constable Paul Howarth, Community Service Officer for DPS. “With the dynamics changing in society all over, resurrecting an old program like this would just ensure that people are out there again, people are wanting to protect their neighbourhood, to help their neighbour.”

The responsibilities of a member is not to go out and uphold the law, but to give the DPS as much information as you can to assist in making an arrest and potentially stop a crime before it is carried through. Crimes could include vandalism, theft, break and enter or assault. Members have no authority, and police do not recommend a personal involvement.

“If you don’t feel comfortable calling 911 at three o’clock in the morning thinking something’s suspicious, call the office number at 223-3281. Some people are afraid to call 911 because they don’t think it’s an emergency. The system is there to help us help you as a community.” Says Howarth.

Suggested information to track when viewing suspicious activity is the date, time, location, description of person(s) and vehicle, what the behavior is and any pertinent information you may have about the victim, such as them planning to be away during the time of the incident.

“When we do get these calls, a lot of people say we didn’t want to bother the police,” says Howarth. “I want it to be known that we are a 24 hour, seven day a week service, 365 days of the year. You are not bothering us by giving us a call saying something may be happening and you believe it may be suspicious.”

Although no one has signed up in the north Dryden area as yet, the DPS and Neighbourhood Watch team will be creating a website to make signing up more convenient and are non-discriminatory to those looking to volunteer.

If you would like more information regarding Neighbourhood Watch, you can contact the committee at drydennhw@gmail.com or call the Dryden Police Service non-emergency number at 223-3281.

By Ally Dunham

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