The Oakville Community Association (OCA) held a public meeting on Sept. 21, 2024, where they say residents voiced their concerns about rising crime and called for the reactivation of Neighbourhood Watch in Oakville.
"It seems simple that in order to make a difference residents need to pay attention and get to know your neighbours to help deter crime," said OCA President Michael Reid.
The decision to try to revive Neighbourhood Watch was first announced by the OCA in July 2024.
Read more here: Oakville Community Association to revive Neighbourhood Watch amid rising crime
According to OCA, as of Sept. 21, a Neighbourhood Watch Reactivation Committee (NWRC) has been formed with the following vision and mission:
Vision: The NWRC follows the vision of the Oakville Community Association to contribute to creating an engaged, safe, caring, and vibrant community where all residents enjoy a positive quality of life.
Mission: The NWRC is comprised of OCA Board Members and residents from all over Oakville dedicated to work towards reactivating a modern neighbourhood watch program in Oakville to help protect residents from being victims of crime.
The OCA and NWRC will hold a follow-up meeting on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ritorno, located at 261 Oak Walk Drive. All interested residents are welcome to attend.
Said OCA in a media release, "This type of program will bring communities and neighbourhoods closer together or back together at a time when a sense of community has been lacking in Oakville."
Editor's Note, Oct. 16, 5:00 p.m.: This new program is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Halton Regional Police Service.