North Crow residents form Neighborhood Watch
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RONAN — Would-be criminals in the North Crow area beware: residents have formed a neighborhood watch group to help keep the community safer.
Neighbors held an initial meeting that was attended by 35 families on Feb. 10, after concerns about crime in the area became heightened because of several recent incidents.
“We’ve seen an increase in crime,” group leader Adam Wood said. “There’s been some poaching ... There’s been a couple break-ins in the past two or three weeks during the daytime.”
Suspicious vehicles, unauthorized trespassers, and people following residents to their homes have also been an issue recently. Wood said he hoped the group would encourage neighbors to look out for each other.
“If something doesn’t feel right, make a call,” Wood said.
Sheriff Don Bell told the group that reporting even the smallest of irregularities can make a huge difference. In one case a few years ago, a person reported a suspicious vehicle with Malmstrom Air Force Base stickers and Wyoming license plates that seemed out of place. It led to police finding a woman who had been kidnapped from Nebraska weeks before.
“If that nosy neighbor hadn’t called, what could have happened to that girl?” Bell said. “She had already been kidnapped for two weeks. There are no coincidences. If you think it is odd, we want to hear about it. Call it in.”
In a recent incident a person called to report a male and a woman who were going through mailboxes on Melita Island. A police pursuit ensued and a woman was detained who had several out of county warrants. Authorities in Flathead County told Lake County deputies that the man usually traveling with the woman was wanted, and that Flathead County was willing to launch a helicopter to find the man. The helicopter search was successful, and the man was booked into jail.
Bell estimated the suspicious vehicle call prevented 400 or 500 burglaries, because that was how many the devious duo had pulled off before.
Bell said the increase in break-ins isn’t isolated to North Crow, it’s a larger problem fueled by methamphetamine usage.
“It is drug driven, right now,” Bell said. “People that are using meth will absolutely do anything for their next fix. Right now, they are after your guns. It’s an easy sell. If they steal your guns today, they will be in Spokane by morning and already traded for drugs. It’s a new trend. The drug dealers really want guns.”
Bell said having a gun safe is helpful, as is installing home security systems and cameras.
Tribal Officer Bill Dupuis said people should also document their belongings in case of theft.
“Anything you have that has a serial number, write it down,” Dupuis said. “Keep it safe. Without a serial number it is hard to identify what you have lost. Pictures are best too. Even with tack, mark it. Tack has been a commodity for a long time.”
Bell said people can also purchase civilian model tasers or bear spray for self-defense if they are a bit wary of gun usage.
Bell and Dupuis also explained that there are limits to how people can respond to threats with firearms.
“You have to be in fear of your life and you have to be in an enclosed area,” Dupuis said. “You can’t just step out into your yard and shoot them, as much as you want to.”
People should never let others asking for help into their home unless the homeowner knows the person, Bell cautioned.
“Do not open your door,” he said.
Common schemes making the rounds now include perps scoping out houses for burglaries by knocking on doors and asking about lost puppies.
North Crow residents can sign up for the neighborhood watch by calling Wood at (406) 552-7720. An email list will help the neighbors stay in communication if something seems suspicious. The group plans to meet twice per year and is exploring signage options that would hopefully deter criminals.
