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Point Edward OPP steps it up following complaints

Cathy Dobson Six weeks after Point Edward residents demanded a better OPP response to escalating vandalism, a greater police presence is being felt and petty crime appears to be down.
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Cathy Dobson

Six weeks after Point Edward residents demanded a better OPP response to escalating vandalism, a greater police presence is being felt and petty crime appears to be down.

“We’ve definitely got an increase in police coming around and checking all the time,” says Kristen Simpson who lives and works in the village.

“It shouldn’t have reached the point where we felt we had to have a meeting but it appears that’s all it took to get the police to listen,” she said.

An escalation of break and enters and nuisance crimes has frustrated Point Edward residents this year, with many saying officer response was slow to nil.

Resident Jim Canie organized a grassroots meeting in September and invited the OPP to listen to resident concerns.  At the time, Canie suggested the village should consider other policing options.

He now says the OPP got the message, patrols are more visible and crime stats are declining.

“The OPP have definitely stepped it up,” he said.

At the September meeting, Simpson complained that she called several times about drug activity she observed and got no response.

“A week after that meeting, the house I complained about was visited by police and now I see no activity at all,” she said. “It feels really positive.”

Carolyn Leaver, an owner at Manley’s Basics on Kendall Street, agreed.

She told the meeting about multiple break-ins and a slow OPP response.

“OPP Sgt. Ross Stuart visited me afterwards. That’s huge for him to follow up,” she said.

Days after the meeting police were called to Manley’s about gasoline siphoning in the parking lot. OPP responded quickly and ultimately made an arrest, said Leaver.

“We’ve had no incidents since and we see the OPP in our parking lot checking at all hours of the night.

“I’m happy they’re listening to us, that they’re being friendlier and being what people need them to be,” she said.

In October, OPP reported five calls about theft, two other calls related to mischief, no break and enters, and one drug-related call.  Four arrests were made.

Mayor Bev Hand said the OPP is committed to improved communication and visibility. The village pays for two officers per shift and that hasn’t changed, she said.

“But they are making their presence more known. I do know each officer was told what our expectations are as a community.

“I think they sincerely want to do a good job,” Hand said.

The annual cost of OPP policing for the village has decreased in the last two years and will continue to fall thanks to a new provincewide contract. Point Edward was paying more than $900,000 a year for OPP and now pays $635,000.

September’s meeting also encouraged local residents to take a more proactive stand against crime.

A new Neighbourhood Watch program should be running before Christmas, said organizer Rachel Bowman.

“I’m hearing there’s already fewer incidents and better OPP response,” she said. “I think people see that working with the police and getting involved will make this a safer community.”

Bowman is still looking for more Neighbourhood Watch volunteers. Anyone interested can contact her at [email protected].

Another group of residents has initiated “Light Up the Village,” which encourages homeowners to turn on their exterior lights all night.

Canie and Bowman said they believe Light Up the Village is deterring would-be thieves and vandals.


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