CUPE BC’s Successful Town Watch comes to Qualicum Beach
QUALICUM BEACH –The Town of Qualicum Beach, CUPE Local 401, CUPE BC and the local RCMP detachment are partnering to make the town the latest BC community to participate in the Town Watch program in which Town employees work with the RCMP to help make Qualicum Beach safer and more secure.
“I’m looking forward to launching this exciting partnership,” said Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek. “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’re glad to have this opportunity to work with our employer and the RCMP to make our community an even better place to live and work,” said Lawrence Amy, first vice president of CUPE Local 401. “Our members don’t just work for the community, they’re a big part of it, so Town Watch is a great fit here.”
“I am very pleased to have the Town Watch Program active in our community. The more eyes and ears we have working with our detachment; the more effective we can be with policing our community. This program creates a safer environment for all of us,” said Staff Sergeant Brian Hunter, Oceanside RCMP Detachment.
“Since we first launched the Town Watch program nearly 30 BC Communities have joined with our locals to help make communities stronger,” said CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill. “I know how committed CUPE members are to their communities every day, both on the job and off. I’m really happy to help Local 401 and Qualicum Beach kick this latest partnership off in style.”
About Town Watch:
Town Watch (also known as City Watch in larger communities) 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 www.cupe.bc.ca.campaings/city-watch.
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