From left, Denzil Spence, Phil Perry, Wayne Wilson, Nancy McGuire, Sergent Benoit Boulianne, Paul Bertrand, Roger Lavoie, SQ Chief Alain Langevin, Sergent Jean Bernard, Paul Chartrand, and Eddy Tierney.
Peter L.Smith
From left, Denzil Spence, Phil Perry, Wayne Wilson, Nancy McGuire, Sergent Benoit Boulianne, Paul Bertrand, Roger Lavoie, SQ Chief Alain Langevin, Sergent Jean Bernard, Paul Chartrand, and Eddy Tierney.
Peter L.Smith
L’ISLE-AUX-ALLUMETTES – Over 80 area residents met, May 7, in St. Joseph with members of the Sûreté du Quebec to discuss the municipality’s newly implemented Neighbourhood Watch program. Phil Perry, one of the organizers, stressed the main objective of the program is increased community involvement. “The more we keep our eyes and ears open to happenings in our area, the better chance the Neighbourhood Watch program has of succeeding,” he said. Neighbourhood Watch signs announcing the program will be erected in high visibility locations throughout the municipality.
Paul Bertrand, another organizer, presented a slideshow explaining how residents can be more proactive when it comes to break-ins and thefts by using tools such as security cameras. Cameras installed on private properties do not need to be identified, and videos can be used to prosecute criminals. Bertrand reminded citizens to look-out for suspicious activity such as loitering, vehicle tampering, or suspicious vehicles driving slowly and at late hours. Suspicious activity can be reported by dialling 310-4141. Marking valuables with a driver’s licence number followed by the letters ‘QC’ was also suggested along with photographing all valuables.
Sergeant Benoit Boulianne of the SQ stressed that break-ins are a priority for their office and explained there will be more police presence in the municipality with the implementation of 12-hour shifts. “We know there is a market for stolen goods and we are collaborating constantly with the Ontario Provincial Police and Pembroke pawn shops to report items pawned by certain individuals,” he added.
Members of the public inquired if they are allowed to detain individuals caught stealing on their property. “Detaining is acceptable, but no harm must come to the thief, so the better option is to notify us immediately,” commented Boulianne, noting that tools, fuel, and equipment are most often stolen.
Seven districts, each with at least one captain, have been set up in the area: District 1 – Paul Bertrand and Wayne Wilson; District 2 – Nancy McGuire; District 3 – Ed Tierney; District 4 – Denzil Spence; District 5 – Roger Lavoie; District 6 – Phil Perry; and District 7 – Paul Chartrand
