Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is on the search for more volunteers to join the Rural Crime Watch initiative to reduce crime within rural municipalities.

“Rural municipal landowners have been keeping a watchful eye over their land for years because the risk of crime happening and going unnoticed in remote areas is a reality they live with. So this idea of a Rural Crime Watch Association is exactly what we need for our residents. The only way we will find success with our recently established Saskatchewan Rural Crime Watch Association (SRCWA) is by members joining together to volunteer,” says Ray Orb, SARM President.

SARM is calling for more residents in its 296 RMs to join as volunteers with local crime watch groups. SARM states that rural municipalities have struggled with criminal activity for years, with very little to no support available due to the remote nature of the areas. If more rural residents were to join the local crime watch group, SARM says it could lead to the prevention of criminal activity by providing a seamless network of eyes and ears for police agencies to act.

“It’s as simple as taking a ride with a neighbor to check the land, watching for suspicious vehicles and activities while out in your yard, using a member call list or “What's App” to report suspicious behavior in the neighborhood.” shares Tim Brodt, Saskatchewan Rural Crime Watch Association President.

SARM states that organized crime watch programs tend to show a reduction in criminal activity. This includes theft of equipment and grain, vandalism, dumping of garbage, trespassing, break-and-enters, and cattle rustling.

“Rural municipalities have the opportunity to band together for a collective goal of community safety. This is a long time coming and we are happy to see this collaboration working in our RMs. Stepping up and representing rural Saskatchewan won’t take up a lot of your time and it’s a necessity in preventing rural crime,” stated Orb.

The goal of this project is for volunteers to work together in their RMs to report suspicious activity to the RCMP or 911. SARM states that the need for volunteers should not go unnoticed, RMs need volunteers' knowledge of the land and their eyes and ears for local police when they may not be in the area.