- Non Emergency Open 24 Hrs: 604.925.7300
- CALL 911 for Emergency
- 755 16th Street, West Vancouver
In recent decades, policing has changed dramatically. Historically, police have used a reactive style of law enforcement. In other words, they responded to your complaints. A growing population, budget cuts, and other factors have forced them to rely on you, the public, more than ever. Consequently, community policing has arrived. The police are establishing a base within communities in an effort to fight crime on an altogether different level. In 1986, this model of community policing led to the development of Block Watch. Block Watch works out of West Vancouver Police department.
– Block Watch is a way to have neighbours watch and communicate with each other and police
– Block Watch involves being alert
– Block Watch involves being aware of your neighbour’s property as you would your own, and a commitment to reporting suspicious activity to your police (non-emergency / 911) and neighbours
Block Watch is an extension of what you may already be doing on a daily basis. many of us have watched our neighbour’s home for them when they are away or at work, as a favour. Under Block Watch that watchfulness is broadened and becomes more systematic. All residents on a block get to know each other through participation and communication to keep an eye out for each other.
Block Watch involves being alert as part of your everyday life. For example, when you go to a window to close the drapes, take the time to look around the neighbourhood. Ensure everything is as it should be. Talk to your neighbours to keep them aware of current crime prevention techniques and news of local crime trends.
The Program involves two commitments: the first is to be concerned about your neighbour’s property as you would your own. The second is to report suspicious or criminal activity to the police and to your neighbours.
Block Watch does not require you to perform special tasks or go to a lot of meetings.
You do not patrol the neighbourhood or chase burglars.
You aren’t required to live in your neighbour’s hip pocket. You can still conduct your life in privacy.
Block Watch doesn’t require that you be any friendlier than you want to be.
Block Watch isn’t just for homeowners. The tips and techniques are equally valuable to tenants.
For nearly 2 decades, Jeff served West Vancouver as a Police Officer in Patrol, School & Community Liaison, the Integrated First Nations Unit, Communications & Media Relations.
A North Shore resident for 36 years, Jeff realized a childhood dream becoming a police officer at age 42 and after a 23-year career in Radio News. While retired from active-duty policing, serving as Block Watch Coordinator is an exciting new challenge as Jeff continues actively working until his partner Sarah can retire from teaching.
Jeff looks forward to continuing & building on the excellent work of prior program coordinators Alejandra Johnson and Anne Russell while staying connected to community he has proudly served.
· Valid Canadian Driver’s Licence
· Valid BC Identification Card (with photo)
· Valid BC Services Card
· Valid Passport – Canadian or Foreign
· Valid Canadian Permanent Residency Card
· Current Canadian Student ID Card (for youth applicants ages 12-17) *secondary Gov’t issued ID required
· Canadian Birth Certificate
· Valid Canadian Citizenship Card
· Valid Canadian Certificate of Native Status Card
· Valid Nexus Card
· Employee Identification Card issued by the Federal, Provincial or Territorial Government (with photo)
· Old Age Security Identification Card
· Valid Firearms Licence
· Municipal or RCMP Police Identification (with photo only)