NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH TILLSONBURG Moving to Tillsonburg last year, we were impressed with how clean, quiet and friendly it is here. Imagine our surprise when we learned of 3 recent daylight burglaries just down the street from us . Being retired, but looking for a cause, I spoke with the local OPP, where I learned there is no Neighbourhood Watch program in the town. Stacey Culbert the Community Services officer with the local OPP detachment was 100% behind this initiative. I then contacted the director of the London, ON branch of Neighbourhood Watch, who was very helpful in showing me how to set up this program here. I then did a presentation to Town Council, who were very supportive, and am now waiting for final approval, as well as doing a presentation to the Police Services Board this coming August 20/14. The goal is to have every resident in the town become a member of Neighbourhood Watch. According to the London chapter, having this program in place will reduce crime by 50%. Wow. Neibourhood Watch has many benefits. As mentioned, crime is reduced. The OPP supports this because if there are fewer break-ins, there are fewer police call to be made, freeing up officers for other cases. Insurance companies love this due to having fewer claims. Real Estate companies love this as they can proudly assure their potential buyers they will be living in a safe community. The program also brings the community together. How many of us never get to know our neighbours, sometimes when they live right next door? Our motto, NEIGHBOURS HELPING NEIGHBOURS, makes this a win-win for us all. The premise is simple: Nieghbours keep an eye out, contact 911 if you see anything out of the ordinary, such as slow moving cars roaming the streets, people we dont recognize that look sketchy, or strangers looking through blue boxes, searching for personal information. There is no roaming the streets as vigilantes, just keeping an eye out from the safety of your home. We are looking for volunteers to help launch this program, so if you have some time to spare (not much), please contact me at watchtillsonburg@gmail. Were also in need of local philanthropists who would like to donate funds for this worthy cause, local businesses as well. Once were up and running, we will be applying for charitable status, and will be issuing tax-deductible receipts. I look forward to speaking with as many of you as possible so that we can keep beautiful Tillsonburg the type of community were all proud of. By having the whole town on board, we will become the beacon of civility. Please join me on this fantastic adventure. And STAY SAFE!
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:25:14 +0000