Good day Block Watch Leads, Co-Leads & Participants,
West Vancouver Police have responded to 238 calls for service since our January 8th update.
For updated crime alerts anytime click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts
Residential Break-ins – Attention To Detail Helps
From our Communications Team this week, details of a long running investigation set to conclude at court this month that highlights importance of attentive neighbours noting even seemingly ordinary occurrences.
In 2019, West Vancouver experienced a series of break-and-enters targeting high-end residential properties. During the investigation, detectives learned of a consistent pattern: a man walking a German Shepherd puppy regularly near impacted homes in days before the break-ins.
The information was shared with policing partners across the Lower Mainland, and the distinct modus operandi was linked with additional break-ins in Coquitlam and Burnaby. An investigation was launched, and in November of that year, West Vancouver Police and Coquitlam RCMP arrested a 58-year-old Port Coquitlam man and recovered stolen property from break-ins in West Vancouver, Coquitlam, and Burnaby.
The case made its way through the courts and late last year Michael Rudolph Horyn was convicted on charges of Break & Enter and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. He is to be sentenced January 28th.
The file highlights the power of watchful neighbours, timely communication, and coordination with policing partners. “Thieves should understand working outside their own neighbourhood does not provide cover.” Says WVPD spokesperson Suzanne Birch, “We are committed to working across jurisdictional boundaries to hold them accountable, no matter where they operate”.
Equipment Thefts – Cypress Mountain
74cm of fresh snowfall over the past week unfortunately attracted more than just skiers, snowboarders & tobogganers to the North Shore Mountains. West Vancouver Police have received three reports this week of snowboards being stolen at Cypress Mountain. In all reports, the snowboards were left unattended and unsecured on exterior day lodge racks. We encourage mountain enthusiasts to add a plan for equipment security to their checklist for enjoying a day on the mountain.
Block Watch Community Meetings – Say Hello To Block Watch
Leads, Co-Leads & Participants are invited to informal in-person Block Watch Community Meetings next week for an update on West Vancouver Police and Block Watch.
Along with Executive officers, West Vancouver Block Watch looks forward to meeting with you. We have two sessions next week, and a further meeting in the following week for you to choose from.
- Wednesday January 21st, 7 – 8pm – Raven Room at WVPD Headquarters – 755 16th Street
- Thursday, January 22nd, 2pm-3pm – Welch Hall West – West Vancouver Memorial Library
- Tuesday, January 26th, 7 – 8pm at our WVPD Gleneagles Sub Office – 6272 Marine Drive ( part of Gleneagles Firehall #2)
Please RSVP by email to [email protected] if you plan to attend, confirm which of our three sessions you would like to attend.
Anytime you see activity of concern, please don’t hesitate to call West Vancouver Police. Call 604-925-7300 for non-emergency matters. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency, including events that involve an immediate threat to a person or property or to report a substantive crime in progress. For updated crime alerts anytime click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts.
Jeff Palmer
Block Watch & Operational Support Coordinator
West Vancouver Police
t: 604-925-7300
