RCMP Mayor's Report Appendix 2 - Block Watch Yearly Report
Summary of the Block Watch program's activities and community engagement efforts across the West Shore region.
Appendix 2.
West Shore RCMP Block Watch Yearly Report
Submitted by Constable Emma Rutledge Community Policing Section
West Shore Block Watch Program
Statistics for Langford, View Royal, Metchosin, Highlands
- Block Watch Statistics 2013 Block Watch Groups/Captains: 11
- Block Watch Statistics 2012 Block Watch Groups/Captains: 11
- Block Watch Statistics 2011 Block Watch Groups/Captains: 10
Total Groups: 32
Comments
On August 8th & 25th ,2013 Cst Brandon MARR has utilized the West Shore Property Crime Map for the month of August to canvass neighborhoods with a high crime rate and educate them on the Block Watch Program. This will hopefully increase the number of Block Watch Groups in 2013.
Cst RUTLEDGE contacted Oona Olson (Intelligence Analyst for the West Shore RCMP) to add the 2013 Block Watch Groups to her monthly Property Crime Map. The Block Watch map will assist members to quickly identify a Block Watch Community and to respond to the high demand of requests for Block Watch participants.
Cst E.Rutledge, 51010, West Shore RCMP, CPS
West Shore Block Watch Program Goals for 2013
- Improving data by capturing the 2013 Block Watch Groups on a map. Cst Rutledge has consulted with Intelligence Analyst, Dona Olson, with regard to the implementation of such a map.
- Creating a PRIME file for 2013 Block Watch Groups as well as documenting the number of houses per block on an Excel document.
- Providing current information to existing Block Watch Captains for dissemination to their respective neighborhoods by creating a Newsletter every 2 months.
- Annual meeting with the Block Watch Captains or a representative of the community providing a program refresher and offering new information relevant to the program.
- What is CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) and How is it useful. Cst Rutledge is CPTED level I trained.
- Emergency Preparedness Presentation offered by the local Fire Department.
Cst E.Rutledge, 51010, West Shore RCMP, CPS
West Shore RCMP Block Watch Program
Cst. Brandon MARR of the West Shore RCMP chose to assist the West Shore Community Policing section by getting involved with the Block Watch Program.
The Block Watch program helps to promote safe homes and safe communities by having neighbours and communities work together in providing police with accurate information on suspicious activity and crimes in the area.
Block Watch informs community members on how to protect themselves, their homes and their neighbourhood by providing them with information and skills relating to spotting and reporting information to the police.
Cst. MARR chose to assist with the Block Watch program by using his own time on weekends to visit areas of the West Shore Region recently targeted by Mischief and Theft from Vehicle offences as well as a community with no Block Watch program within a close proximity.
Cst. MARR went door to door and directly engaged with members of the community on Tyler Terrace, Colwood, BC, Clearwater Place, Langford, BC, Hoylake Avenue, Langford, BC and at a baseball game at City Centre Park in Langford, BC by speaking to residents and providing them with Block Watch literature, a description of the Block Watch program and by answering questions community members had about the program.
Members of these three communities seemed very interested in the neighbour helping a neighbor model that Block Watch promotes and many were pleased that the program was available in their area.
Cst. MARR assisted Aux/Cst. ABSOLON in making a Block Watch presentation to a group of community members that had signed up and began the process of starting a Block Watch in their area.
Cst. MARR was able to provide these community members with information on how police use the information they provide, answer questions they had and relate the information in the presentation to real life situations and how they can assist police in providing quality service.
Cst. MARR visited the Wild Play Element Park in Colwood, BC a popular destination for local families which promotes healthy lifestyles through physical activity, Cst. MARR spoke to the Manager of the park and was able to get Block Watch literature placed in the park near the guest registration terminal, further expanding the reach of the Block Watch program.
The Block Watch program is a positive way for communities to ensure that they safeguard themselves from crime and suspicious activity, by informing communities of the Programs availability the West Shore area will be more likely to develop Block Watch programs increasing the efficiency of police response and empowering communities to help protect themselves.
Cst Brandon MARR, West Shore RCMP, C Watch