March 10, 2003 meeting between the Police, "Action Surveillance Verdun" and NITA

Were present:
Neeta Bucktowsing, Coordinator, Action Surveillance Verdun
Diane Veillette, Community Agent, Police station 17
Evelyne Schindler, Administrator, Action Surveillance Verdun
Jacques P. Anfossy, NITA Secretary
Denis Jetten, NITA Volunteer

During this meeting, various means were evaluated to reduce criminality on Nuns' Island. Following these discussions, it is clear that the most effective measures require the involvement of the residents.

Action Surveillance Verdun (ASV) offers help, at no cost, to citizens who want to reduce the likelihood of a crime in their neighbourhood. The following services are available:

- Security Audit of your home. Call 769-8079 for an appointment or E-mail: [email protected] .

- Help with the engraving of your belongings. An electric engraver is available at your local Police Station. Door and window stickers are also available to indicate that your belongings are engraved. They also suggest to take pictures of objects that can not be engraved (silverware, jewellery,...)

- ASV also recommends to make a complete inventory of all your belongings, including serial numbers. Helpfuls forms are available from the Police. Keep the list in your safe deposit box at the bank, with friends or with relatives

- Coffee meetings and public meetings about security in the home and on public transportation.These are particularly indicated for problem areas and when several neighbours are willing to participate.

- Information booths on city streets.

- Neighbourhood watch program.

- When to call 911:
If you notice or suspect an ongoing criminal act, you must call 911 for a quick response from a police car. We learned that if you see suspects looking at the content of several cars in a parking lot, it warrants a call to 911. Do not forget to note the physical description of the suspects and any noteworthy details (glasses, tattoos, age and appearance, etc.)

- For any other non-urgent but important situation, call 280-2222. This is mostly in cases were the event has occurred a while ago or things such as:
car accident or hit-and-run without injuries, theft or fraud without a suspect, harassing phone calls, vandalism, damage to a building or a vehicle, obstruction of a private driveway or of a public road, abandoned vehicle,...

- You can also call Info-crime at 393-1133 to report criminal activities anonymously.

To obtain more crime prevention advice or to obtain a pamphlet on security, call Action Surveillance Verdun at 769-8079 or E-mail: [email protected] .

NITA also suggest checking all doors that are used for normal exits to make sure they close properly. If it is an emergency exit, do a VISUAL INSPECTION ONLY. This door may be linked with an alarm system. If after a visual inspection of such doors, something does not seem right, contact Metropolitan Structures.