Vigilant citizens to patrol Summerland during 6-hour blackout

Dozens of vigilant Summerlanders are expected to be on patrol tonight as the community braves another six-hour planned power outage.

“Hopefully there will be lots of people out,” Judy Kind, who will be among those keeping an eye on Summerland during the planned power outage tonight, Oct. 22, said.

The first of two planned outages — in order for the District of Summerland to upgrade its transformers — took place Friday, Oct. 15, between 10 p.m. and 4:20 a.m. That night there were two reports of stolen truck, an attempt to steal a camp trailer and a cluster of mailboxes were broken into.

READ MORE: Pickup stolen in Summerland while owner was sleeping in partially-attached trailer

Tonight's outage will occur during a similar timeframe and many citizens are more proactive this time around. 

“It’s about time people start opening their eyes,” Kind said. “Some people have turned a blind eye when in fact there’s a lot of thefts going on and it’s just increasing.”

Kind can’t be out all night because she works in healthcare and her shift doesn't end until 11 p.m. and she’s due back at work at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Nevertheless she still plans to spend several hours on patrol.

Not every citizen has as much energy as her, she said, but is encouraging the public to be on extra high alert tonight.

“Even just taking an extra look out your windows if you get up to take a pee," she said.

Many locals will be on guard from home simply by enjoying a bonfire during the blackout, she said.

Kind knows of two groups meeting tonight for patrols, and she’s expecting dozens of concerned citizens to show up. Their protection has been requested by some elderly citizens and business owners, she said.

Additionally, the vigilant citizens will be setting up road blocks around town.

READ MORE: RCMP Volunteers help deliver crime prevention message

Kind said it’s nice to see the community coming together to have each other’s backs during the planned power outage, despite the fear of opportunist thieves which the patrols are revolving around.

“There was a time when we could leave our groceries and our booze in our cars with the windows down, not the case anymore," she said.

Summerland RCMP have not released a public statement regarding either power outage.

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