Weyburn is a growing, expanding community, as new families and individuals continue to move into the city and take on the growth of jobs in the Weyburn and surrounding area.
As the population and business and industrial base continues growing, it is becoming more important for residents and property owners to look out for one another to help keep each other safe.
In years past, this concept was formalized in a program called "Neighbourhood Watch", and residents signed on and displayed placards or signs to let fellow residents know that they were vigilant in keeping an eye open for people or vehicles who didn't belong in the neighbourhood.
While the formal concept of Neighbourhood Watch has fallen by the wayside, the principle of it is an important one, and can help residents keep and maintain a sense of pride in their neighbourhood.
Quite simply, residents should familiarize themselves with who lives in proximity to them and who is known as a resident of the area, and just keep an open eye for unusual movement of traffic or pedestrians in the area, particularly strangers who seem to be hanging around watching certain homes.
If people are vigilant about doing this and report anything unusual to the city police, then the police have a better chance of being able to prevent crimes from occurring, or being able to catch perpetrators in the act or soon after.
Looking out for one another also goes to motorists, as there is increased traffic in the city, and with school now back in session, there is also increased numbers of pedestrians. This was brought painfully to mind recently as in Ontario a Grade 10 student was hit and killed by a dump truck while walking to school on the first day of the new school year; this sort of tragedy could literally happen anywhere, at any time, and it is up to motorists to use caution and watch where they're driving to prevent such a tragedy from being repeated.
The concept of looking out for one's neighbour is an ancient one, going back to the story of the Good Samaritan, but it's one that anyone and everyone can keep up with.
As people keep their eyes open, they will gain a sense of ownership and pride for the community they live in, as they help keep it as a safe community. After all, it's not just the job of the police - this community belongs to all of us.
