PITT MEADOWS- This summer Pitt Meadows residents will have 60 more sets of eyes looking out for suspicious behaviour due to training developed by the Canadian Union of Public Employees and delivered by the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment.
City employees including front counter staff, bylaw officers and city works and parks crews were trained on how to define, document and report activities that may be suspicious or criminal.
Mayor Don MacLean was on hand to place the first City vehicle sticker and applauded the partnership between CUPE, the City and the RCMP. “Anything that makes our residents and businesses safer is a positive move and having all of our staff and the RCMP involved in this way makes me proud.”
“Our members live, work and play in Pitt Meadows, and they are dedicated to keeping it safe,” said CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hancock. “The City Watch program’s purpose is to promote community safety through employee awareness and is designed to prevent and reduce crime by encouraging municipal employees to be alert to activities they might witness in the course of their jobs. Employee participation is voluntary and stresses watching and reporting not intervening.”
CUPE Local 622 Chief Shop Steward Teddy Rasmussen also joined MacLean and Hancock at the City Watch launch. “Our members are out on Pitt Meadows streets every day, and we’re proud to join the nearly 30 other BC communities who are already using the program to keep their neighbourhoods safe,” said Rasmussen.
RCMP Officer in Charge, Superintendent Dave Walsh also encouraged all residents to take an active part in watching their neighbourhoods. “With the launch of City Watch, CUPE, the City and the RCMP have enhanced their already strong relationship and make our community even safer for all residents and staff. I applaud CUPE and the City of Pitt Meadows for taking a strong leadership role in moving this program forward. As the police we cannot do it on our own. We need the help of all of our community partners. Community safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
