By CKOM News Staff

Sask. cottage owners take action on rural crime

Oct 19, 2017 | 1:58 PM

Cottage owners in Saskatchewan’s lake country are banding together to curb rural crime.

Residents in Emma Lake and Christopher Lake, north of Prince Albert, are starting a Rural Crime Watch — a community-driven crime reduction program supported by police.

Organizer Elaine McMillan told Gormley Thursday that crimes, especially break-ins, have been getting worse.

“We’re maybe hit a little harder than most because we’re such a concentrated area and a lot of cabins are seasonal,” McMillan said. “So very easy pickings for the thieves out there.”

Cottage owners are not the only ones concerned about crime. McMillan said she’s had interest from the surrounding area and as far away as Duck Lake.

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“Seeing people’s frustration levels get higher and higher we got to start being proactive … instead of reactive,” McMillan said.

People interested in the group are invited to attend a meeting at the Legion Hall in Christopher Lake at 7 p.m. Thursday.

According to the RCMP, areas where there is an organized crime watch tend to have a significant reduction in criminal activity.

McMillan noted the citizen on patrol program already operating is doing good work, however, joining Rural Crime Watch gives them access to more resources.

“I just feel our officers; everybody out there needs more eyes.”