Cathy Dobson
An alarming increase in thefts and vandalism in Point Edward has some residents asking if the OPP is the village’s best policing option.
“It’s no secret we’re tired of the OPP,” said Jim Canie, a local man who spearheaded a recent community forum to air resident concerns.
About 125 people attended the meeting, many demanding to know what the OPP is doing to stem an escalation of petty theft and nuisance crimes.
“I’ve talked to many residents who are ready to talk about other policing options, and I can’t think of many other than Sarnia Police,” said Canie.
Frustration is also growing over a lack of trust between residents and the OPP. Several at the meeting said they’ve waited hours for police response, sometimes getting none and sometimes getting no follow-up investigation.
“We were broken into four times in five weekends and the response was very slow,” said Carolyn Leaver Luciani, co-owner of Manley’s Basics. “Then gas was syphoned out of our gas tank last week.
“My dad’s van was broken into and it took an hour for the police to come.
“It may just be petty crime but it’s happening over and over,” Leaver Luciani said. “I keep getting told these crimes aren’t big enough, but it has cost us at least $15,000 in losses and lost time.
“It all adds up when you’re a small business. It matters.”
Kristen Simpson, another village resident, said she has called provincial police multiple times about an influx of drug activity and got no response.
“It’s frustrating because you can’t call anyone here after hours, and no one comes or it takes a very long time,” she said.
Point Edward is contracting Lambton County OPP for $635,000 this year. For that, the village of 2,000 people is assigned two officers around the clock. The two officers are also responsible for patrolling a portion of Highway 402 and responding to incidents on the Blue Water Bridge.
Lambton OPP Sgt. Ross Stuart told the crowd the officers do foot patrols and bicycle patrols, primarily at night, to combat property crime.
He said he took the residents’ concerns seriously and would talk to the officers at the Point Edward detachment about improving community relations.
“I make a commitment to you to rebuild a foundation so you feel trust in our police service,” he said. “I encourage you to hold my feet to the fire because I’m going to do it … I want you to feel that sense of trust.”
Point Edward was plagued by thefts and break-ins this summer.
In the first eight months of this year, there were 75 thefts compared to 65 for the entire year in 2015.
Stolen items included bicycles, an ATV, a dirt bike and small items from vehicles, garages and front lawns.
Eight break and enters were also reported in July and August, including six incidents when stones smashed the windows or doors of area businesses.
Lambton OPP Staff Sgt. Paul Bradley said an investigation is ongoing and he couldn’t provide details.
However, Stuart later confirmed that there have been three arrests and 14 charges laid in connection to this summer’s thefts.
Mayor Bev Hand said the village was virtually crime free in the past and the increase is upsetting.
She pointed out the OPP successfully investigated a rash of break-ins on Venetian Boulevard earlier this year and arrested three people.
“I hope this meeting has started a new relationship with the OPP,” said Coun. Brad Drury who chairs the Point Edward police services board.
“(Sgt. Stuart) put his neck on the line in front of a lot of angry people.”
Meanwhile, local residents are starting a Neighbourhood Watch program. Organizer Rachel Bowman said a meeting will be held Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Optimist Hall.
And a group of neighbours is working to promote their idea to “Light Up the Village,” calling on all residents to deter vandals by turning their exterior lights on every Friday and Saturday night in October.