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RCMP extending Barriere Block Watch to detachment coverage area

Block Watch meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Barriere Ridge
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The Barriere Community Consultative Group, in conjunction with the town of Barriere and the Barriere RCMP Detachment have formed a “Block Watch” under the Block Watch Society of B.C.

This very useful program assists in reducing crime, violence, bullying, theft, and ensuring child safety in our area. It educates neighbours on how to identify suspicious activities, how to report them, and how to do it safely.

The Barriere RCMP have agreed to extend the Block Watch Program to include the Detachment’s coverage area from Heffley Creek to Little Fort, up Highway 24 to the posted signage, and east to include Barriere Lakes and more.

Block Watch meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Barriere Ridge. For more information, or to join the group, email Jim Secord at: hotrodjim-34@hotmail.ca or call 250-320-3477.The next meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 28.

Block Watch is designed to improve crime prevention information and communication between neighbors. It is also designed to improve skills needed to observe, record, and report suspicious activity. Block Watch areas also have signage to identify that a Block Watch program is in effect. While signs don’t stop criminal activity, they do reduce “crime of opportunity” activities.

Block Watch Members:

- Watch out for their neighbor and their neighbor’s property

- Notify police of any suspicious activity or crime in progress

- Report if they have been a victim of crime

- Notify their Block Captain if they have been a victim of a break and enter or other criminal/suspicious activity

- Update security and hardware in their homes.

- Mark all valuables with their driver’s license

- Attend yearly Block Watch meetings in their neighborhood.

Block Watch Members Look For And Report Suspicious Activity:

- Someone screaming or shouting for help

- Sounds of breaking glass or shattering wood

- Unusual noises

- Beam from flashlight or light in neighbor’s home

- Persons going door to door

- Someone looking into windows of parked cars

- Persons waiting in front of a home or loitering around the neighborhood

- A stranger in the back yard

- Property being taken out of houses where no one is at home or a business after it has closed

- Property being carried by persons on foot

- Property being loaded into a vehicle or being removed from a vehicle

- An opened or forced door or window

- Strange vehicles parked at your neighbor’s house

- Slow moving vehicles cruising the block

- A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child

Remember if you see a situation that doesn’t feel right, it’s suspicious. Write down the description of any suspicious persons. Get the model, color and license numbers of strange vehicles. Call the police immediately. Don’t assume someone else has called. If criminal activity has occurred let your Block Watch Captain and neighbors know but CALL THE POLICE FIRST.

Block Watch is a program of neighbours helping neighbours. The Block Watch Program is a free community-based crime prevention program administered by your local police. Find out more at: http://www.blockwatch.com