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'HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT OURSELVES?'

KAMLOOPS - There is a sense of frustration being expressed on social media about crime in the Brockehurst neighbourhood of Kamloops with residents looking for more help from police so people don't take the law into their own hands.

Kamloops RCMP Supt. Brad Mueller says more police patrols can’t be added unless people living in the area report criminal activity to RCMP instead of Facebook.

“What we found was within Brock they’re reporting offences on Facebook but not necessarily following up with calls to the police,” Mueller said. “(Formal) complaints generate stats within our system. When we look back and do a review of those stats, that’s where we look to determine where the hot spots are.”

Some residents, however, have grown frustrated with the amount of crime in the North Kamloops neighbourhood and have reached out to authorities.

Mueller handed out four emails sent from Brock residents to the police or city council at a police committee meeting held earlier this week.

“We need more police presence in our neighbourhood,” Lauren Jensen writes. “The community has started to take matters into their own hands. Perfect example is the kid almost beat to death with the bat.”

Jensen is referring to 19-year-old Jessie Simpson, who has been on life support for more than four months. Friends and family say the Savona teen was looking for a friend’s home after a graduation party when he ended up on Kristopher Teichrieb’s property. Teichrieb has been charged with attempted murder and assault with a weapon.

“How are we supposed to protect ourselves?” Jensen continues. “We will not be quiet about this. We are in a crisis in Brock! We desperately need help!”

Chair of the Brock Community Association Ginette Bauer says collaborating with the Block Watch program is an important step for the neighbourhood to feel safer.

“It’s frustrating. It’s disappointing that this is happening to people in Brock,” Bauer says. “People need to be proactive and protect their property, empty out their vehicles, lock their vehicles, put things away.”

It’s a message RCMP has been trying to get across to residents across Kamloops in hopes of decreasing theft from vehicles. Bauer says that is one of the most prominent crimes plaguing the Brock neighbourhood, along with children’s bikes being stolen.

As for crime being reported on Facebook, Bauer says social media is playing a big role in how complaints are handled.

“It’s disappointing. You really hope that people are using their common sense and phoning the police first,” she says. “Call it in and then post it on Facebook and let your neighbours know.”

The Brock Community Association is planning on meeting with crime prevention next month to inform residents about how to protect themselves and their property.

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