CUPE BC’s successful City Watch comes to Grand Forks
GRAND FORKS—Grand Forks is the latest BC community to join with CUPE in City Watch, a partnership between the local government, CUPE Local 4728, CUPE BC and the local RCMP detachment that will see Grand Forks employees work with the RCMP to help make the community safer and more secure.
“This is just a great partnership that brings everyone together to put community safety first,” said Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor. “Having our workforce act as additional eyes and ears on the street will assist our Town’s efforts to improve safety and security for all.”
“We welcome this opportunity to help our community,” said Mike Noseworthy, president of CUPE Local 4728. “Our members don’t just work for the community, they’re a big part of it, so City Watch is a great fit here.”
RCMP Sergeant Jim Harrison said the partnership with Grand Forks and CUPE 4728 will help his fellow officers in their work.
“We know from the experience of other detachments that the City Watch program works and helps make communities safer,” said Harrison. “We’re very pleased to participate.”
“Since we first launched the City Watch program nearly 30 BC communities have joined with our Locals to help make communities stronger,” said CUPE BC Regional Vice President Ian Norton. “I know how committed CUPE members are to their communities every day, both on the job and off.”
About City Watch:
City Watch is a CUPE BC-sponsored program designed to prevent and reduce crime in communities throughout British Columbia. CUPE locals work together with local government and police to give CUPE workers who are out on the road during the day and their dispatchers special training in watching for and reporting criminal or suspicious activity in the community. This way they can keep their eyes open during the course of their regular duties and help make our communities safe and secure for everyone. For more information, please see http://cupe.bc.ca/campaigns/city-watch.
