Peter L. Smith
Peter L. Smith
L’ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES – Eighty residents of the upper Pontiac municipalities attended an information meeting, October 29, at the St. Joseph Centre to discuss a Neighbourhood Watch program. The municipality had a successful program 13 years ago, but as time passed and crime decreased, so did interest in the program. Three officers from the Sûreté de Québec, Chief Alain Langevin, and Officers, Yves Martineau and Benoit Boullianne, explained their involvement and some of the legal issues surrounding it.
“As residents of the community, you need to report suspicious activity, to be our eyes and ears. Given the huge territory in the MRC Pontiac and our small staff, we can’t be everywhere at once. If a crime is in progress and you call us, we will respond immediately,” stressed officer Martineau.
“Seniors sometimes choose not to call, feeling they may be disturbing us, but that is our job to respond. Your safety is our main concern and it should be yours also,” stressed the officers. Most crimes occur in darkness, which makes identification harder. Officers stressed that even tiny bits of information can help to solve a crime. The more effort citizens expend in the program, the better chance of success it will have. Improving the community’s sense of security and quality of life is the main goal of the program.
Neighbourhood Watch program brochures and other material were available. Sign-up sheets for those interested in being involved were filled out by residents. A follow up meeting will be announced soon.
