Merritt couple looking to organize citizens to keep community safe

As tensions in Merritt continue to soar due to the spate of crime, drug use, and homelessness in the city, one Merritt couple is hoping the community will join together to start a group of concerned citizens who watching out for each other.

Bryan Halford and Jennifer Fell, are inviting concerned residents to the A & W restaurant on Voght St. on Friday night to discuss creating an entity much like the RCMP Block Watch Program or Citizens On Patrol.

“Crime is running rampant in the city and as a community we need to step up and get involved,” said Halford. “Our RCMP detachment can only do so much so we want to organize a group of like-minded individuals to work with law enforcement to patrol areas of the city to help keep our businesses and citizens safe.”

The rash of crimes in the city of Merritt has spiked in recent months with property and business theft, and drugs related crimes at an all-time high and both Fell and Halford say it’s time for the city unite as one before someone gets seriously hurt, or worse.

“People don’t feel safe in the community. If you check out the many social media sites and see the comments, you get the feeling that something serious may happen and that is definitely what we want to avoid,” added Fell. “This group will not be a vigilante group, we will not promote violence,; what we are hoping to achieve is a group who look out for one another and if you see crime or suspicious activity, report it to the RCMP.”

Halford added that Friday’s meeting is to lay the ground work for such an community group and is encouraging those who want to be involved to come out with their ideas.

“We do not want this meeting to get out of hand. That’s not what we are hear to do,” Halford replied. “We need action, but more importantly we need decorum so together we can get some good ideas to start building on.  Having a meeting with shouting, finger pointing and hostility is not going to serve any purpose.”

Fell noted that both the RCMP and city officials have been invited to attend the meeting.

“We need their support for this to work,” she added. “We want to make sure that everything we do with this group is above board and within the confines of the law so that everyone is protected.”

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 Friday night at A & W on Voght Street.