file photo/paNOW Staff

By Charlene Tebbutt

Crime Watch network

Crime watch network expands province wide

Apr 18, 2019 | 5:24 PM

A new crime watch initiative is being expanded province wide following the early success of the program in southern Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network is being expanded across central and northern regions of the province following its launch last month. The program allows RCMP to send text messages, emails or phone calls to residents with alerts about criminal activity in their specific area. The network also allows residents to contact police with tips.

RCMP Superintendent Kevin Kunetzki said the program has been successful so far, with more than 5,500 people signed up since the launch in March.

“It allows people the opportunity to help the police in the right way,” Kunetzki said. “The more people that we can get on this network and connect, the better that the public can help us.”

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The new initiative is being lauded by community groups as well, including the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association.

“Crime prevention is key in ensuring our rural communities are a safe place to call home, and it takes all of us working together to do that,” SARM President Ray Orb said in a release.

SUMA President Gordon Barnhart said the network can help reduce crime.

“Expanding the advisory network means residents in all of our hometowns can now sign up and receive reliable information directly from the RCMP,” he said.

Kunetzki said the network allows for better communication with people in various communities.

“We can’t be everywhere at all times,” he added. “But this allows us to be everywhere.”

Anyone interested in signing on to the crime watch advisory network can do so online.

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt