Island Park Community Association Launches Expression of Interest for Neighbourhood Watch Program

The Island Park Community Association (IPCA) Board of Directors has unanimously voted to begin Phase One of establishing a Neighbourhood Watch program for the Island Park Drive community. This first step will involve an expression of interest coordinated by the IPCA Safety Committee, working in partnership with the Ottawa Police Service, RCMP, and the Neighbourhood Watch Program Coordinator.

In the coming weeks, Island Park residents will receive a membership registration form in their mailboxes. While there is no obligation to register, at least 50% of households must participate before a program can officially launch. Once this threshold is met, a community kick-off meeting will be held, and Neighbourhood Watch signs will be installed.

Neighbourhood Watch is one of the Ottawa Police Service’s core crime prevention programs. It is community-driven and built on the principle that neighbours are best positioned to notice unusual activity and help deter crime.

The program is designed to:

• Reduce crime in the community

• Encourage neighbours to be alert to potential risks and take appropriate action

• Prevent crime by reducing opportunities for it to occur

Why it works: Police officers can’t always recognize a stranger in your yard, but your neighbours can. Neighbourhood Watch members know who lives nearby, when homes are usually occupied, and what vehicles belong on the street. That awareness can make all the difference in spotting and reporting suspicious activity.

What residents learn by participating:

• How to make their homes less attractive to thieves through no-cost security improvements

• How to safeguard personal property through Operation Identification

• How to mobilize community members to prevent crime

• How to recognize suspicious behaviours and respond appropriately

• How to report incidents to the Neighbourhood Watch coordinator and the Ottawa Police Service

What Neighbourhood Watch is not:It is not about being a busybody, a vigilante, or taking on time-consuming duties. There are no fees, and participation is voluntary.

Neighbourhood Watch is neighbours helping neighbours. Together, we can make Island Park a safer, stronger community.