It’s just another step in trying to protect property from theft.

More and more farmers and ranchers are investing in yard lights, things like video surveillance cameras, for not only the house but yard, machine shop, and bin areas.

The top three issues or concerns when talking with farmers and ranchers in rural areas about crime is the visibility of RCMP, Crime Rates and what producers can do to protect themselves.

RCMP Corporal Mel Zurvinsky with the Crime Prevention and Crime Reduction Division in Saskatchewan says a big factor in all of it and a big focus, for now, is on getting Rural Crime Watch back on track.

“What we’re promoting is a “What’s App”. Now the “What’s App”, you can call it whatever you want in your area, and you have people associated to the app. It’s time stamped and dated if you observe something unusual or suspicious in your area you can take a picture and it’s fanned out to your whole rural crime watch.”

They also promote Rural Crime Watch signage, video surveillance and marking items for identification.

The number of Rural Crime Watch groups continues to grow in Saskatchewan, moving from eight or nine a year ago, to close to one hundred now.

He notes it’s also important to contact RCMP to report any suspicious activity or theft.

“I know there are lots of people out there they have some fuel taken or whipper-snipper or didn’t have a serial number for that and they don’t report it. It’s essential that people report any type of crime because to us numbers is what drives the RCMP, where people are stationed. If people aren’t reporting a crime, we can’t say we need more officers in this area.”

He notes that groups like SARM and SUMA are working with the RCMP to help encourage more communities and RM’s to get involved in the Rural Crime Watch Program.