ECCW/Police Partnership

Edmonds Community Citizens Watch is committed to working with the police to make our neighbourhood a safer place to live. We have held preliminary meetings to organize our group plan to combat crime and have invited the police to attend and help guide us in the right direction. We look forward to working with them to build a safer community. For now, we'd like to share the following thoughts with our neighbours:

Many of us choose to live in this area for its quiet and beautiful setting. However, over the last few years we are seeing a deterioration of this good neighbourhood.

WHAT IF WE JUST IGNORE THIS AND WE FAIL TO TAKE ACTION?
Firstly, the volunteers who are now cleaning the graffiti will be discouraged and will likely quit. We will then see an escalation of vandalism, followed by the gangs, drug dealers and other violent criminals. Ultimately they will put an end to our security, our quality of living and finally erode the property values in the area.

Clearly some of us see that there are a number of security problems, and they are both complex and troubling. But also keep in mind that there are over 4000 people living here –we have the odds on our side. The objective here is also very simple:

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD NEEDS TO BE SAFE & SECURE.

If you agree with this, then we encourage you to actively support and assist in this comprehensive citizen driven program. The Edmonds Community Citizens Watch (ECCW) is taking on the following initiatives:

Achieve full community involvement on all levels and calling for support from the community, the media, the police and the municipality.
An aggressive community graffiti cleaning & control program.
Inform all citizens as to what to do – safe & effective methods and approaches we can all do as individuals.
Taking back our streets & paths with increasing physical presence – Please be aware that we are not here to confront and neither is this a vigilante group. Instead we will be actively observing, recording and reporting – The police are encouraging this type of citizen activity.

WHAT EACH CITIZEN CAN DO:

Ø LEARN MORE: Take the initiative, challenge yourself: Read and learn more, by reading our materials and by going to our blog. You are encouraged to share info with the ECCW.
Ø BE POSITIVE: Having a Positive ‘Can do’ attitude is important as there will challenges and setbacks in the future. Ask questions and kindly, encourage and reassure each other at all opportunities.
Ø ATTEND MEETINGS: Come in and voice your concerns and explore ideas to deal with this situation – Learn of what to be aware and alert to, and proper steps to take.
Ø TALK: Tell your strata & neighbours– Tell them about your involvement and encourage them to support the ECCW in all possible ways.
Ø GET INVOLVED: Volunteer you skills and a little time. We ask our volunteers to put in at a minimum of 3 - 4 hours/ month. There are a number of different ways to do this, including some from the comfort of your own home. Tasks will be matched to your skills, interests and background.
WHAT STRATAS & BUSINESSES CAN DO:

Ø COMMUNICATE: Regularly send at a representative to attend our ECCW meetings. Share highlight of the meetings and initiatives in your strata minutes. Establish regular communications regarding concerns, ideas and initiatives. We encouraged communication via email and have up-to-date information on our internet Blog.
Ø GRAFFITI POLICY: Initiate a zero tolerance for graffiti on or within 50 meters (150 feet) of your building. Organize and assign this task so that all graffiti can be eliminate within 24 – 48 hours. [Research shows this to be effective in discouraging repeated incidents]
Ø INVITE US: Invite an ECCW member to speaker with your strata council and share your concerns and ideas. Invite us to hold a general meeting for free (or for a minor fee) in your building once per year. To build support we will regularly rotate our meetings through the neighbourhood complexes.
Ø REPORT & SHARE INFO:
Share your security breach incidents [Date, time, place and nature of breach] – Note that confidentiality will always be respected.
Ø SPONSOR & SUPPORT:
At this time our costs are minor: However, to deal with the growing graffiti problems we need is cleaning solutions and paint for our volunteers to use. We also need to print, copy, send letters and correspondence. Jackets and communication equipment is also needed for our patrols. Any donation is appreciated and will only be used to further our objective.

THE PERPETRATORS INCENTIVE IS OUR ABSENCE …
… OUR PRESENCE IS THEIR DETERENT.

RESOURCES:

Email us at: bby-eccw@hotmail.com

BC Crime Prevention Association: http://www.bccpa.org
Ph: 604 – 291-9959 / Fax: 604 – 291-9951 Email: info@bccpa.org

Choices in the Park – Go there and ask the shift manager for the ECCW sign up list and we will contact you shortly.

Community Police Centre (RCMP) High gate
7191 Arcola St, Burnaby. Hours: Monday- Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Ph: 604 – 656-3275

Graffiti - If it is on Burnaby City property report it to: 604-294-7440 (Engineering Dept)