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Efforts to combat crime in Orillia neighbourhood proving effective

Resident, police working together to address crime in Cedar Island Road area; 'It seems like things are improving,' resident says
2018-02-05 Snow Plowing
Residents and police continue to work together to combat crime in the area of Cedar Island Road and Davey Drive. Nathan Taylor/OrilliaMatters file photo

After years of frequent criminal activity in an Orillia neighbourhood, the situation seems to be getting better.

Residents in the area of Cedar Island Road and Davey Drive came together last summer to combat crime in their neighbourhood after dealing with property crime, drug and alcohol use in public and other issues, sometimes on a daily basis.

Fed up, they started working together and speaking out last July. Many took it upon themselves to install security cameras.

The situation led to a sort of partnership with police.

“It seems like things are improving. The cameras are an effective deterrent,” said Stewart Lehmann, who lives in the area. “The community also has a heightened sense of awareness and due diligence.”

Orillia OPP has been using its “community mobilization” model to address issues in the area. That essentially means police have not only been conducting focused patrols, but they’ve also been working with residents on crime prevention.

While he didn’t have information on the specific number of calls to that area, Const. Ted Dongelmans said there have been fewer calls for service and police “have been able to make an impact” while working with residents.

“We engaged that local community and developed relationships in order to assess the situation and come to an understanding of the issues they’ve faced in that area,” he said. “A good part of our success there is because of the relationships we’ve been able to foster.”

No neighbourhood is immune to crime, but the Cedar Island situation stood out.

“The level of concern from that neighbourhood was extremely heightened. That’s what set that area apart,” Dongelmans said. “The fact that they were willing to be a part of the solution helped us.”

Lehmann said he couldn’t think of any major issues in the area recently, other than “the usual” problems every once in a while. That includes drug and alcohol use in public and concerns with some of those staying at the Silver Swan Villa.

“It’s astonishing that an establishment like that is able to remain open in Orillia,” he said. “Not only is it an eyesore; it seems to attract a clientele that can cause grief for the community.”

Despite those concerns, Lehmann is optimistic as the community continues to work with Orillia OPP.

“It’s been nice working with the police, and they seem to be addressing the problems,” he said.


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Nathan Taylor

About the Author: Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the desk editor for Village Media's central Ontario news desk in Simcoe County and Newmarket.
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