By Taylor MacPherson

Neighbourhood watch membership growing

Jun 10, 2017 | 11:00 AM

Prince Albert’s Midtown Neighbourhood Watch is gaining momentum after several public meetings, and the group’s president and founder is looking for more members.

The group was started by correctional officer and Midtown resident Peter John in November after he grew tired of property crime plaguing the area. Talking with neighbours after his garage was burglarized, John realized many of them had been victims of similar petty crimes, and started the watch in an effort to heighten safety in the neighbourhood. 

At their most recent meeting, John said the group added several new members to their ranks, passed out lawn signs to show the public they’re keeping an eye out, and discussed future activities for the group. The meeting was attended by roughly 20 people and plans were made to go door-to-door in Midtown to pass out brochures in the hopes of expanding their membership further.

In addition to reporting suspicious activities to police and preventing crime, John said he would like to see the neighbourhood watch become involved in community-strengthening projects.

“We also have been trying to pick a project that we can work on,” John said. “Either a community garden or something down by the riverfront.”

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By participating in projects like these and expanding their public presence, John believed neighbourhood watch members could improve their community, generate interest and further discourage crime.

“There’s a certain way you have to approach it,” John said. “You can’t just go to some sort of vigilante approach.”

The group’s next public meeting is scheduled for June 22 at 7 p.m., downstairs at the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library. John encouraged all Midtown residents to attend and said they will be hearing a presentation from city police as well as planning upcoming activities.

City Councilor Evert Botha, whose ward includes the Midtown neighbourhood, said he has attended the neighbourhood watch meetings and will be in attendance.

“This initiative has my full support as a resident, and as the elected representative for Ward 3,” Botha said in an emailed statement.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews