MINDEMOYA—Members of the Manitoulin Community Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) were informed last week that Manitoulin Island is never left with just one officer on duty.
Al Boyd, chair of the CPAC committee noted at a meeting last week, “at our last meeting there were some staff level concerns raised. Some of the local communities have seen a high incident of property thefts and motor vehicle thefts and there have been concerns with staffing levels.”
“Mindemoya has recently experienced a number of property thefts,” said Steve Shaffer, Central Manitoulin representative on the committee. “This generated a lot of concern online from local residents and concerns with staffing at night—with the thought of some that there is only one officer on duty on Manitoulin at night at times—and that response times to calls are delayed because of this. I am happy to hear that there is a full staff complement on the Island.”
Manitoulin OPP Staff Sergeant Helena Wall had told the committee earlier in the meeting, “this is totally inaccurate. We have a full complement of officers and have probably the highest complement of officers the Island has ever had. We certainly have more than one officer on duty at night on the Island.” She pointed out the Island has recently added two new sergeants on the Island as well “and our response time (to calls) is fantastic.”
Staff Sergeant Wall says that with the amalgamation of the Manitoulin and Espanola OPP detachment, there is a huge geographical area to enforce, from west of Highway 17 to NaIrn Centre North, as well as Espanola and the Island. “We prioritize everything, for instance there was a fatality on Highway 6 recently and that was deemed to be priority to respond to at the time,” said Staff Sergeant Wall. “That is not to say a break and enter is not a priority. We were able to apprehend a suspect in a recent break and enter occurrence in Mindemoya.”
Staff Sergeant Wall acknowledged, “social media being what it is, we never have just one officer on duty at any one time. Certainly we have more than one officer on duty at all times. Obviously, we can’t be everywhere immediately. But our staffing is certainly more than adequate.”
“If an area has seen a rash of incidents, they need to call us,” said Staff Sergeant Wall.
Dave McDowell pointed out that a Mindemoya Neighbourhood Watch program was recently established.
“This was precipitated by what was happening in Mindemoya,” said Mr. Shaffer. “Shortly after the program was started they were helpful in seeing something happen and reporting it to the OPP, who apprehended a suspect.”
Mr. McDowell suggested that, “maybe in the spring we need to kick start the Neighbourhood Watch program again in all communities.”
“The community spearheaded the initiative in Mindemoya,” said Mr. Shaffer.
Mr. Boyd agreed that the Neighbourhood Watch program is community started. “People generally feel safe on Manitoulin Island, with homes unlocked and leave their keys in the car.”
Manitoulin OPP Community Services Officer Marie Ford was instrumental in getting the Mindemoya Neighbourhood Watch program started, said Mr. Shaffer. “I am happy the OPP is here tonight to squash all the rumours we have been hearing.”
Staff Sergeant Wall said she likes the idea of Neighbourhood Watch starting in any community.
“When I was working with the OPP, I saw many Neighbourhood Watch programs initiated on the Island,” said Mr. Boyd. “It’s a community-driven program.” He said the program is a huge deterrent for vandalism and mischief occurrences taking place. “But a community needs people that want to be part of the program and to have block captains selected in areas of a community. I’m sure Marie would be happy to get literature out to any community that wants to look at a neighbourhood watch program.”
