Police officials to share information on theft protection, neighbourhood watch programs, and safety
Woodstock Police Force Chief Gary Forward and Western District RCMP Dan Sharpe will share the stage on Dec. 11 in a public forum aimed at helping Woodstock residents better protect their and neighbour’s properties.
During her opening remarks at the Nov. 28 Woodstock council meeting, Mayor Trina Jones announced plans for the public forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, at the McCain Community Theatre in the Woodstock High School.
She urged the public to take in what she described as the “unique” event, noting it highlights the ongoing collaborations between the town force, which provides policing for Ward 4, the former town boundaries, and the RCMP, which polices the four outlying rural wards.
“This is the first collaboration with a meeting like this with our RCMP and our town reps both represented,” said Jones.
The mayor, who will moderate the forum, said all council members plan to attend.
Jones said Chief Forward and Sgt. Sharpe will offer theft-prevention tips, advice on community safety and field questions from the audience.
Sgt. Sharpe, a Woodstock native, recently took over command of the Western Valley RCMP operations.
In a recent interview with the River Valley Sun, he acknowledged that petty crime is rampant in the region.
“We are putting every effort and all our resources into solving crime and putting those responsible in jail,” Sharpe said.
Forward echoed Sharpe’s viewpoint in a recent report to council, noting the town force’s strong relationship with the RCMP.
Jones said the Woodstock Police Force and RCMP reps at the meeting would share best practices and field questions from residents about starting neighbourhood watch programs and ways to help each other out.
She encouraged council members to spread the word about the forum to constituents and recommended that residents attend the forum.
