News Release
Councillor, Local Residents to Organize “Commons Watch”
(Tuesday, September 11/07)-- A group of local residents have been working with Councillor Dawn Sloane and Halifax Regional Police in an effort to organize a citizen’s patrol for the Halifax Commons.
Dr. John Gillis, a resident of North Park Street who has been working on the effort since the spring, wants to develop a plan to use properly trained citizens to patrol the Commons.
Dr. Gillis said the “Commons Watch” would involve groups of volunteers equipped with radios, lights, and well-marked clothing to patrol at high-risk periods in the late evening to provide a secure feeling to those using the park.
Councillor Sloane said there will be a public meeting in the area on October 3 to discuss violence on the Commons and the “Commons Watch” proposal.
"By partnering citizens with HRM and by offering volunteers proper training, we can mobilize the community to help police combat the problem of violent crime on the Commons,” she said. “"It's time that a grass roots Halifax Commons Watch becomes a reality.”
Mayor Peter Kelly, who will be hosting a Roundtable on Violent Crime later this fall, said it was encouraging that local residents were willing to partner with police and other agencies to address public safety issues in their neigbourhood..
Mayor Kelly said “Violence in our community is everyone’s concern. The more eyes and ears we have on the street, the better the chances we have of discouraging crimes of opportunity and random acts of violence. Police are doing a good job, but the more citizens we have engaged in the war against violence, the stronger the message will be to those few in our community who are committing, or thinking of committing, acts of violence.”
Dr. Gillis said a local company, Source Security, has offered to provide formal training to volunteers for Commons Watch to make sure that the good aspects of the patrol are coupled with safety and a level of knowledge for all participants.
“Proper training in recognizing potential problems and avoiding confrontation will be very important for volunteers to do the best and safest job possible," said Ron Lovett, head of Source Security.
"With the right planning, dedicated training, and the will by residents to make their city safer, we can make the Commons Watch a reality in the coming months,"Dr. Gillis concluded.
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Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
Councillor Dawn Sloane
488-4812
John M. Gillis, BSc., M.D., C.C.F.P.(EM)
488-5445
