4 Terrace Review —— Thursday, January 2, 1992 Terrace — ing the RCMP and asking about the Neighbourhood. Watch pro- wa gram. Through this program, you q will get to know them, and they | will get to know you. Everyone has heard stories of burglars dressed as movera : . emptying a house of its contents Review According to Terrace RCMP Cpl. Garry Moritz, there were few incidents of vandalism and theft over the holiday. For this reason we don’t have a list of specific incidents to report this week. Watch this space next week for a list of acts of crime you‘may be able to help solve. ‘In the meantime, this ‘is ihe second day of a new year... time when you could be thinking of things you can do to make this. year better than the last. ' And perhaps one of the best ways of accomplishing that is to think of ways of reducing crime and the chance you might become a victim, and ways of dealing with the social problems that spawn those acts of crime. A first step might be to get involved in programs that have ‘community already proven to be successful ‘in other communities. A Block Parent’s program already exists in Terrace but could use more involvement. A Neighbourhood Watch Program doesn’t yet exist and will be the focus of crime prevention efforts by local RCMP over the next few months. During that time, we will be offering information that will help you better under- stand how these programs work and how to get involved. | Preventing crime. starts with your attitude. — opening your mind to the idea that. working together with your neighbours can make a difference and that- your personal involvement is essential. If you don’t really. know your neighbours, you might want to begin by contact- without the blink of a. neigh- bouring eye. The truth in these stories is that non-involvement with your neighbours actually makes your community less secure. If you already know your neighbours, however, you have already taken a step towards preventing crime. Burglary and vandalism, for example, can be prevented when neighbours keep in touch with each other and keep an eye on each other’s property. . But even if you do know your neighbours, it doesn’t mean you: don’t need the’ Neighbourhood Watch Program. Through this program, residents commit them- selves to watching their immedi- ate neighbours’ property and reporting any suspicious activity to the police. The result is a crime prevention program that still respects the need for priv-. - marina, - cottage area'or rural area. The Neighbourhood Watch Program — acy by each individual. The Neighbourhood Watch Program is also adaptable. It doesn’t matter if you live in a apartment. building, works, Even on the job, you can learn to be a good neighbour. ’ No matter what kind of work you are involved in, you can find opportunities to prevent. . Block Parent’s lifestyle — the crime. . For example, drivers for a gas company -in southwestern Ontario have initiated "Operation | Pal", making themselves avail- able to help or call the police if they see any kind of trouble while on the road. Schoo! bus drivers in Manitoba are operat- ing a similar program. Many letter carriers participate in a program in which they check up on senior citizens, . Neighbours being neighbourly by participating in crime preven- tion activities, whether at home, on the street, at school, at work, or at play is one of the most effective and ‘least costly ways -of ‘reducing crime. Ask any police officer. They will tell you that they can’t do the job all by themselves. | getting . involved ‘does make a And neighbours difference — not only in pre- venting crime, but in making communities more enjoyable places to live, The Block "Parent Program offers: a way to be neighbourly ina slightly different way. Participation in the program can be adapted to the individual logo can ‘be taken out-of the -window if you are busy. or away from home. And the idea hes ‘also found a home in other situ-. ations. Some convenience stores have become "Block Stores" and are safe refuges not only for children, but also for the elderly. or anyone who feels threatened, So think about these programs. Think about getting involved. -There is so much that can be done at home,. work or school to - foster the idea that a larger sense of neighbourlinéss can prevent crime. There is a growing aware- ness that public arcas — streets, laneways, schoolyards and parks —- belong to us, too, and need our watchful concern and care. .% Par * iS ST Sats fait Wag Uiler pooeke _ fact ~¢ Hy ’ “ bk ae - Right Ding/Ailler drei wy: fete’ WITH ANY SOFT DRINK PURCHASE AT McDONALD’ 7 “EACH A ORD ACK HOLOGRAM STRER CA - AMIABLE E ONLY AT MDONALD'S WHE SUPPLE UST! | | cl Deck ond fv ce gon obi are trademarks of the Upper Deck Company, (locol store address) Avetlabla only at Partipating McDonald's whilé supplies last. . - ©1991 McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. McDonald's