Crime Can Be Prevented at the Community Level

Orangeville, ON (Mono Community Policing Committee) The Ontario Provincial Police believes in being an integral part of our community. They recognize that working more closely with us – the people who live in, work in and visit our town – has significant benefits for all involved. By including us as active partners, the OPP can reduce repeat calls through problem solving and deal with the underlying problems – not just the incidents.


It is important that crime be prevented at the community level. The Neighbourhood Watch is a program that invites community participation, encouraging and educating residents to report crime and related problems in a formal and organized manner.
If we take a cooperative, active role in crime prevention, criminals will find it difficult to operate in our neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood Watch is simply a program of neighbours watching other neighbours property during times when burglaries are likely to occur. A police officer patrolling your community may not recognize a stranger in your yard – but your neighbours would! The program works through mutual aid – Neighbours Watching out for Neighbours. Neighbours know who you are, what type of car you own and may be the first to notice a burglar at your window or door. Each neighbour can effectively watch those homes to each side, the front, and the back of their own home.

This is just one example of the programs available to us – Road Watch, D.A.R.E., Block Parents, School Crime Prevention Education and Personal Safety & Protection – can all be implemented through an active community policing group. We encourage you to attend our next meeting, June 6, 2012, and see what we can accomplish with your help.

James Doan
Chairman, Mono Community Policing Committee