The bi-annual meeting of the Pembroke Community Watch Program went last night at the Pembroke Fire Hall with approximately 50 residents in attendance where several voiced their concerns over neighborhood safety.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Mayor Brian Abdallah and Community Watch Lead Organizer Steve Halpenny, began with both pointing out that much work is yet to be done and that the community needs to remain vigilant in their efforts.
Mayor Ron Gervais opened the meeting by announcing that grant monies are in the works that will be used towards a handful of security enhancements across the city including a fence on the wall outside the cenotaph and 3 or 4 additional officers assigned to patrol city streets. Gervais noted that the grants will be formally discussed in City Council and will be announced as soon as details are finalized.
An OPP officer was present at the meeting with statistics that say that over 4100 calls had been made by concerned residents since June 1st of this year which has resulted in 454 charges involving between 11 and 13 officers. Residents were also reminded about two major drug busts that have occurred in the city in the past six months which has taken large quantities of illicit drugs off Pembroke city streets.
A handful of concerned residents vehemently expressed their concerns over safety issues facing the city putting The Grind Executive Director Jerry Novack on the hot seat once again. Many believe that users of The Grind are primarily to blame for unrest on city streets and Novack suggested that there are many other factors at play and that everyone needs to continue to work with city officials and law enforcement to find viable solutions.
The next meeting is scheduled for next spring. Anyone needing information on the program is asked to click on the link below.
Community Watch – City of Pembroke
(Written By; Richard Evans)