Summary
Crime Prevention updates from Block Watch program Coordinator Jeff Palmer
Good Day Block Watch Captains, Co-Captains & Participants,
West Vancouver Police have responded to 287 calls for service since our last update.
**Click Here For Updated Block Watch Crime Alerts At WestVanPolice.ca**
Care Aide Arrest – Caution to Residents
A caution from our officers this week to ensure diligence when hiring a home care aide following an arrest of a suspect in a West Vancouver Police investigation dating back to August of 2022. A care aide for an 81-year-old resident allegedly became intoxicated, refused to leave the home, and allegedly assaulted the resident in her care. The care aide was charged with Assault & Being Unlawfully In A Dwelling House and released pending trial on conditions including not to engage in work as a caregiver without permission of the court.
The accused was subsequently arrested by Langley RCMP on October 5th, 2023, on allegations of engaging in employment as a care aid to a 77-year-old, becoming intoxicated & refusing to leave the residence.
51-year-old Rubina Walji, of Surrey, faces charges of breaching Court Release Conditions, Being Unlawfully in a Dwelling House, in addition to prior charges in relation to allegations in West Vancouver.
Our Sergeant Mark McLean advises a Police Information Check can prevent offenders & alleged offenders from working with loved ones. West Vancouver Police recommend that, if you are hiring someone to work with an elderly relative, or a child, to ask the prospective care aide for a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check. For more information on how to complete a Police Information Check, visit westvanpolice.ca.
Thefts
Theft reports dominate our Crime Alerts this week. Thefts from Auto involved a mix of unlocked vehicles being entered and windows smashed to enter vehicles with valuables in view inside.
As Chief John Lo noted in his Fall Block Watch Newsletter issued this week, “The approach of the holiday season historically brings an uptick in property crime with Thefts from Auto being one of the main drivers of this category. Please avoid leaving valuables or gifts in an unattended vehicle. It takes just a few seconds for suspects to walk through a parking lot and scan for contents in vehicles. The vehicle that has the most attractive contents inside can be most at risk of being broken into.” Click Here To Reach Chief Lo’s Full Fall Block Watch Newsletter at WestVancouver.ca
Time Change – Pedestrian & Road Safety
This Sunday, November 5th at 2:00am officially marks the shift from Daylight Savings Time back to Standard Time for the Winter. Turn clocks back one hour Sunday, then we urge you to please take extra caution amid the sudden shift resulting in earlier darkness in the afternoons. Sadly, nearly half of all vehicle crashes involving pedestrians occur between October & January.
For updated crime alerts between our weekly updates click westvanpolice.ca/crime-alerts.
If 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.
Jeff Palmer
Block Watch & Operational Support Coordinator
t: 604-925-7363 | c: 604-785-2446
westvancouverpolice.ca
