(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Melfort neighbourhood watch

Interest growing in organizing a neighbourhood watch program in Melfort

Apr 16, 2024 | 12:00 PM

A group of Melfort residents is gauging interest in setting up a neighbourhood watch program.

A Melfort Neighbourhood Watch Facebook account has been organized by Dawn Quinn and has nearly 100 members after just a few days. She told northeastNOW there has been talk of starting a similar program in the past.

“With the uptick of strangers entering yards, breaking into sheds and garages, going through vehicles and holiday trailers and causing damage to other personal property, many Melfort residents have voiced their concerns as to what can be done to combat these activities,” Quinn explained. “After a number of incidents in our neighbourhood, a number of people are coming together to work with residents and the RCMP with the hope that through education and awareness these activities will diminish or stop happening.”

Quinn said the idea to put the question on social media was to see how many other people were facing the same issues, and whether it was worth having an information meeting to discuss the possibility. That information meeting will take place Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Kerry Vickar Centre.

Posts to the Melfort Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page have been largely positive, said Quinn, and the interest has been strong enough to organize a meeting to share information and look at ways to make changes in the community. Organizers have been in discussion with both the City of Melfort and Melfort RCMP detachment, and both have indicated support and have offered their assistance in implementing the program.

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“We hope to connect with local businesses who also face these issues,” Quinn said.

Property crime and theft have always been present in communities like Melfort, but according to Quinn, it seems that things have escalated in the past few months.

“These perpetrators are becoming more bold, which has resulted in daytime crimes, smashed security cameras and unexpected personal confrontations. These situations are taking place not only in residential areas, but there are a number of businesses and facilities that are dealing with an unpredictable and intimidating group of people causing distress for employees and customers.”

Quinn said her hope is to have Melfort return to a time when people watched out for each other and didn’t feel fearful.

“Times change but kindness and basic concern for others shouldn’t,” she explained.

While the initiative is in its infancy, the goal is clear: residents keeping an eye out to help each other. Quinn said a person can do as little as being a Block Watcher, by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. As the organization develops there will also be a need for Neighbourhood Co-oordinators and Block Captains. Quinn said it’s important to remember that residents should never take personal risks to prevent a crime.

You can find the organization on Facebook under ‘Melfort Neighbourhood Watch’.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK