Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (July 03/02) - Life is about to get a little tougher in Rankin Inlet for those who don't like to abide by the law.

Const. James Peck of the RCMP detachment in Rankin Inlet is helping to organize a Block Watch program in the community. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

RCMP Const. James Peck is helping launch a Block Watch program in that community.

Peck was involved with Block Watch in Surrey, B.C., and says the program in that community helped reduce crime by 40 per cent.

"The program brought that community closer together and made people more accessible to us, which, in turn, made us more accessible to them," says Peck.

"I went to many of the year-end Block Watch parties in Surrey and the program really increased the sense of pride in their community."

Between five to 15 houses in a one-block area will be involved with the program.

Separate blocks will hold their own meetings and discuss problems of specific concern in that area.

The only qualification needed to participate in the program is a genuine concern for your neighbourhood.

Peck estimates Rankin could be broken down to about 30 total blocks.

Each block elects a captain who, except for emergency situations, is the only person to communicate with the RCMP.

"The people involved with the program go through their block captain, who uses a bit of discretion in deciding when to call us.

"We give block captains a little more training in what constitutes a police matter."

Peck says some of the main concerns in Rankin are vehicle theft, drunk people wandering in neighbourhoods and child safety.

He says during the initial meeting to organize the program, concerns were raised about phoning in complaints for fear of perpetrators seeking revenge.

"If the people want calls to the police to remain anonymous, they will.

"Criminals know when they see the Block Watch stickers up in an area that if they're going to do something wrong in that neighbourhood, they're going to get caught."

Peck says Block Watch sends a message to people committing crimes that the community isn't going to put up with it any more.

He's hoping Rankin's Block Watch program will be up and running within the next three months.

"Block Watch participants look out for one another and are the eyes and ears of the police in their neighbourhoods.

"A successful Block Watch reduces crime and really helps improve the standard of living in a community."