The Regina Police Service is encouraging all Regina residents to take a little time to get to know their neighbours. In our growing and vibrant city, it may seem difficult to imagine, but there are residents of Regina who are isolated. Sometimes, it’s the result of a change of residence, a new job or retirement, the death of a partner or spouse, or other life events that change one’s access to family and friends. Over the years, the Regina Police Service and the Office of the Chief Coroner have investigated cases where an individual has passed away, at home, unnoticed because of that person’s isolated lifestyle. In a few particularly tragic cases, the death has gone unreported for an extended period of time. Everyone should have someone keeping an eye out for their well-being. As fellow residents and neighbours, that involvement doesn’t have to be complicated or intrusive. Good neighbours can gauge the right “distance” that allows them to get along without getting in each other’s way. Even service and utilities providers can detect a change in routine that might signal something is amiss. Out of discussions between the Regina Police Service, the Office of the Chief Coroner, the City of Regina and Crown Corporations comes this simple message: let’s all be good neighbours to one another.
Our advice: if you haven’t seen your neighbor in a while and you know him/her well enough, you can check on them by calling or knocking on the door. If you’re uncomfortable checking in, contact police at 306-777-6500 and explain your concern. We will dispatch officers to ensure that everything is okay. Some signs to watch for include: accumulated mail, no sign of activity, pets showing signs or sounds of distress, and unmown grass (or accumulated snow, depending on the season). Use a common sense and compassionate approach. You just may help a neighbor in distress, or offer someone dignity in his/her passing. Let’s be good neighbors to one another: it just takes a little time and care.