Extra ears and eyes to protect a community are always a good thing.
The City of Enderby is planning to launch a community watch program in the fall to help combat a minor crime issues in the community.
“We’ve got some people that are in everybody’s faces, people drinking in public, some that think nothing of riding their bikes right on the highway,” said Enderby Mayor Greg McCune.
“We’re almost believing the mentality in Enderby is ‘well that’s just what it is.’ We need people to start making calls.”
The city will talk with businesses in the downtown core and with people along the River Walk. In September, the annual business walk along the river will allow council to further push the new program which has been discussed with new Enderby RCMP Cpl. Todd Bowden.
“What the new corporal encourages, is if a person is in immediate danger or threat, call 911,” said McCune. “If a neighbour has more traffic going to their house than an Amway salesperson, call Crime Stoppers.”
Bowden said his detachment is encouraged by any municipal government that is hands-on when it comes to crime prevention initiatives.
“They do seem to understand that the RCMP’s job is to help the community police itself,” said Bowden.
Important phone numbers like the RCMP and Crime Stoppers will be made available on signage, and door and window stickers.
“Our goal is to tell the community to please make the calls (about crimes),” said McCune. “If you feel like you may not be getting the follow-up you need, contact a city councillor or myself.”
