Along with the blooming crocuses, budding trees and greening lawns, spring can often bring a new onslaught of criminal activity.
“With spring comes other things,” said Red Deer Neighbourhood Watch president TerryLee Ropchan.
Ropchan said as the winter turns into warmer weather vandalism and small arson fires sometimes occur. She said as people are working in their yards, they might notice other things.
As a way to show Red Deer residents all of the local groups trying to put a bite on crime, the Crime Prevention Barbecue took place at lunchtime Saturday in the Wal-Mart South parking lot. The barbecue kick offs Crime Prevention Week and also celebrates Neighbourhood Watch month.
The event was organized by Red Deer’s Neighbourhood Watch, with Citizens On Patrol, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Crime Stoppers, Red Deer City RCMP, Red Deer Emergency Services and city councillors all taking part.
“People are interested in talking to the different groups,” Ropchan said. “It is like a one stop shop.”
The Crime Prevention Barbecue has been taking place for around five years.
Const. Sabrina Grunow, with the Red Deer City RCMP, said people need to take ownership in their community. She said if people know their neighbours then if a crime happens in their neighbourhood they are better able to help police because they have those resources and contacts at their fingertips.
“That can ultimately help police come to a good resolution to solving some crime or preventing it,” she said.
sobrien@www.reddeeradvocate.com