Community policing moving

Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 21, 2017 / 5:00 am

Vernon's Community Policing Office is moving and changing its name. As of Thursday Nov. 23, the office and the Restorative Justice Society North Okanagan will be at 3010-31 Avenue in the downtown. The building is the former Toppers Cleaners site. The office will now be known as the Community Safety Office. "The new location will offer greater access to the community and is ideally located to provide greater service to downtown merchant," said Rachael Zubick, City of Vernon community safety coordinator.

All contact numbers remain the same.
Community Safety Office 250-550-7842 Email: rzubick@vernon.ca
Restorative Justice Office 250-550-7846 Email:mclark@rjsno.ca
The old community policing building at the corner of 32nd Avenue and 29th Street is slated for demolition.Meanwhile, to mark Restorative Justice Week, the society is hosting the Peoples Law School's Justice Theatre Troupe at the Schubert Centre on Nov. 23, 5-9 p.m. The burger and a beverage night costs $30 and tickets can be purchased online.

2017 Honour Roll

http://www.memorialribbon.com/en/honour-roll/2017.php#DAVIDSON

Cst. John DAVIDSON

On November 6, 2017, 53-year-old Abbotsford Police Constable John Davidson was shot and killed while involved in a possible stolen vehicle file.
At approximately 11:15 am, some citizens observed a vehicle, in the mall complex located on Mount Lehman road in Abbotsford, they recognized as stolen. They boxed the vehicle in and called 9-1-1. The suspect began shooting at the caller as well as others in the mall. At approximately 11:30 am, police were dispatched to the mall complex. There was an exchange of gunfire with Constable John Davidson was hit. The suspect fled in his vehicle a short distance with police in pursuit. Police pinned the suspect vehicle in traffic and many more shots were exchanged. The suspect was taken in custody with non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been charged with first-degree murder. Constable John Davidson was pronounced upon arrival to the hospital.

Constable John Davidson was a police officer for 24 years starting his career in Northumbria England before moving to Canada, spending the last 11 years with the Abbotsford Police Department. Cst. Davidson worked in the patrol, youth squad and the traffic section. He was very active in the community and spearheaded a crash prevention program where he spoke to high school students. He had just completed the Tour de Valley Cops for Cancer cycling ride.

John is survived by his wife and three adult children.Our condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues.
---------------

http://www.memorialribbon.com/en/shop/index.php

The sale of Memorial Ribbon Society products, including the distinctive blue and black Memorial Ribbon, support the work of the Society to assist grieving families, help establish memorials and monuments, and provide scholarshipsto the children of fallen Police and Peace Officers.

Thank you for supporting the Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Ribbon Society.

Two ways you can get involved with Vernon's Community Safety Unit

October 06, 2016 - 6:30 PM By Charlotte Helston InfoNews.ca

VERNON - If you’re looking for ways to promote safety in your community, the local crime prevention office has some suggestions. Regan Borisenko, crime prevention coordinator with Vernon’s Community Safety Unit, says there are many ways to get involved and all of them make a positive difference. For starters, you could join the block watch program. “That’s done with a group of residents that want to get together,” Borisenko says.Vernon currently has over 50 block watch groups in neighbourhoods across the city. Borisenko meets with each group and teaches participants how to identify crime, how to prevent it, and what to do if they encounter it. “They become the eyes and ears for each other, and for the RCMP,” Borisenko says. Those prepared for a bigger commitment to community safety might be interested in becoming an RCMP volunteer. Being accepted into the program involves a full interview process, enhanced RCMP security clearance check, training and a commitment of six hours per week. Individuals are trained to help with mobile patrols, search and rescue operations, and evacuations, and also learn how to take proper notes about a crime that can be used in a court of law, Borisenko says. The program is open to people aged 19 to 79, and the average age of volunteers is 50. There are 60 RCMP volunteers in Vernon. One example of how the program deters crime was earlier this year when a pair of RCMP volunteers found a vehicle with stolen license plates. “Lo and behold, before the police could get there, two people approached the vehicle and started driving away,” Borisenko says. The RCMP volunteers followed the vehicle and kept in communication with RCMP dispatch. They were able to direct police to the suspect vehicle, where two people were ultimately arrested, Borisenko says. The volunteers play a large role assisting police with a wide range of duties, including speed watches, distracted driving campaigns, and auto crime. “We’re patrolling the way it used to be when police had time to patrol. We’re going through residential districts. We’re actively looking for people who are trying to get into cars,” Borisenko says. “It makes people feel safer when they see you. If you’re in areas that are more crime-ridden, the bad guys stay away.” RCMP volunteers drive in marked vehicles and wear uniforms that identify who they are. “Being an RCMP volunteer is a commitment to your city to make it a healthy, vibrant city that is safe,” Borisenko says. More information can be found here.
==========
Also see DON'T FOR A SECOND THINK THEY CAN DO BETTER THAN OUR POLICE