NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER  Edition 1 Grand Bay-Westfield NB RCMP Post June 30, 1999      WHAT IS NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH? A community based program where residents, with support from the local police, look out for one another.  We have an organization and meet regularly to share information and implement strategies to keep our community a safe place to live.  If you have any questions or wish to be directly involved in the neighbourhood watch, please contact your block captain or call 757-1020. WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE POLICE? Everyone knows about emergencies (e.g. someone breaking into their neighbour's house or they witness a serious motor vehicle accident) and they call 911.  But what about the other times?  The times when we see a suspicious person walking around our neighbourhood or when we see a vehicle hanging around longer than it should.  In these cases, we sometimes think we should call the police, but do not because we don't want to bother them or we may think that it is none of our business.  It is absolutely no bother at all, for the police to receive information from the public regarding something that you think may prevent a crime.  Furthermore, the police can only stop a possible crime if they receive your call right away while the person or vehicle is still in the area.  If the suspect's actions are legitimate, they will be comforted to know that the police are there to serve and protect them and that their neighbours are concerned.  If the suspect's actions are not legitimate, then they are obviously in the wrong neighbourhood.  Remember, information is only good if it is shared. Please share it with the people that can help as soon as possible. The non-emergency number to reach the RCMP is 757-1020. Please use it!   E911 SIGNS AND CIVIC ADDRESSING Our community leaders, the RCMP and emergency service personnel (e.g. fire, ambulance and rescue) are requesting that ALL area residents obtain and install E911 House Number Signs in a visible location in front of their homes.  These signs will help the police and other service personnel quickly identify your house in an emergency, where seconds count.  The E911 signs should be mounted on mailboxes, sign-posts or poles near the public road facing your home.  Further, it is recommended that two sign plates be installed, each facing opposite directions so that emergency vehicles approaching from either direction can find your house.  The familiar blue and white E911 signs are made to standard specifications of reflective material that is highly visible after dark.  The signs may be obtained locally by calling the Neighbourhood Watch office at 757-1020.   The cost is $8.00 for one or $15.00 for two.  Signs may be ordered and picked up at the Westfield Country Store.  Anyone requiring assistance in the installation of E911 signs, please feel free to contact your block captain. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SIGNS The prominent displaying of Neighbourhood Watch street signs is an integral part of the community policing program.  We want the criminal element to know that we, the residents, are serious about looking out for each other.  In the Westfield area, several street signs have already been posted, with more to come.  Stickers for your home are available, free of charge, from the Neighbourhood Watch.  These stickers, which are proven deterrents to home invasion, should be placed in visible locations on at least two sides of your home.   History of the Westfield Neighbourhood Watch   In 1994, the RCMP detachments within "J" Division, New Brunswick, met with citizens from the communities they policed to improve communications.  The Westfield detachment met with groups from the former village of Westfield, Wirral, Welsford and central Greenwich area.  After several meetings, these groups were called Community Consultation Groups and formed the basis for Community Policing.  One problem with this type of organization was the limited number of participants from the community.  On July 1st, 1996, the RCMP implemented the concept of district policing and the Westfield detachment became the Westfield Post under the direction of District 3, headquartered in Hampton.  (Currently, there are three posts in District 3 - Hampton, Sussex and Grand Bay-Westfield).  In March of 1997, the RCMP district commander, Staff Sgt (currently, Inspector) Mike Woods supported the establishment of Neighbourhood Watch groups within District 3 and formed a district council with representatives from each post.  This structure was established to achieve better communications for all of the Neighbourhood Watch groups within District 3.  Pattie Leckey-Donald was appointed representative on the district council for the Westfield Post.  Later in the spring of 1997, residents Richard Likely and Tom McKim approached Cpl Harold Matthews and initiated a meeting to be held at the Westfield Golf & Country Club with all interested residents in the former village of Westfield and Woodmans Point to form a Neighbourhood Watch Program.  The meeting was well attended with 276 residents and members of the Westfield Post.  On October 15, 1997, the first meeting of the Westfield Neighbourhood Watch was held at the RCMP post in Grand Bay-Westfield.  RCMP officer Harold Matthews, Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Richard Likely, Neighbourhood Watch District 3 representative Pattie Leckey-Donald and Tom McKim were among the attendees.  Two zones were established.  Zone 1 covers the southern half of the village from the Grand Bay town line to the flashing light at the intersection of Nerepis Road and route 102.  Zone 2 covers the northern half of the village from the flashing light along Nerepis Road to the village limit.  Each zone is subdivided into blocks.   Each block covers approximately a dozen homes and is represented by a block captain and an alternate.  In the spring of 1998, Zone 3 was created to cover the newer neighbourhoods west of Nerepis Road, including the Lacroix, McLean and Mallard Drive areas.  During the fall of 1998, the Sunnyside Drive area and a few more homes on Nerepis Road were included in Zone 2 to complete 100 percent coverage in the former village of Westfield.

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