Good Afternoon Block Watch Members,

This past weekend the Surrey RCMP hosted its second annual Block Watch Symposium at the Sheraton Guildford Hotel for its Block Watch Captains and Co-Captains. The symposium was an opportunity for police to engage with local Block Watches and equip them with the information and tools they need to enhance neighbourhood safety.

Surrey RCMP, City of Surrey, and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) with special guest Jordan Buna presented information on host of topics including: roles of the police and the community in crime prevention, myths and realities of gangs, home security and privacy rights, and the value of social media and technology.

“Every one of us has a role to play in crime reduction in community safety,” says C/Supt Bill Fordy, Officer in Charge of the Surrey RCMP. “With eighty-eight Block Watches launched so far this year and over 750 groups city-wide, Block Watch members are leading the way helping us tackle crime and the threat of crimes in our communities.”

Some of the comments from Block Watch Captains and Co-Captains on the symposium included:

· “I really appreciate my local police and Mayor taking the time to bring us all together once a year and provide relevant presentations to us all.”

· “I was very happy to see key VIPs attend and speak. It helped see my contribution to the bigger picture.”
· “The drugs and gangs presentation was excellent! Jordan Buna is a wonderful success story.”

· “Excellent presentations and presenters. Very inspiring. Thank you.”

The Surrey RCMP encourages residents to engage in community safety by joining a Block Watch or starting one if there isn’t one in their area. Contact the Crime Prevention Program Coordinator at your nearest Surrey RCMP District Office to apply for Block Watch.

Committed to serving the Community
Your Surrey RCMP is committed to providing a sensitive, responsive, professional policing service for all Surrey communities. For more information about Surrey RCMP Programs & Services, how to Protect Yourself, or our latest News Releases visit www.surrey.rcmp.ca.

ASHLEY SOUSA
CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
COORDONNATRICE DES PROGRAMMES DE LA PRÉVENTION DU CRIME
Surrey RCMP District 5 | GRC De Surrey District 5
South Surrey
100-1815 152nd Street, Surrey, BC V4A 9Y9
T: 604-599-7862
F: 604-538-6098

By Tom