©

North Vancouver

Newsletter Making your neighbourhood safe one block at a time Spring 2019
147 East 14th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7L 2N4 ● Tel: 604-969-7553 ● Fax 604-969-7450 ● NVBlockWatch@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Main Detachment
Preventing Theft from and of Vehicles
147 East 14th Street  Do not leave any property in your vehicle. Thieves will even break into your vehicle to
North Vancouver, BC obtain a few coins. Typical items stolen include wallets, credit cards, keys, garage door
V7L 2N4 openers, clothing, and sunglasses.
604-985-1311
 Do not leave any personal identification in your vehicle including your driver’s licence,
financial documents, credit/debit information, or any personal mail. Thieves can use this
information to steal your identity and, apply for and receive loans in your name or add
additional credit cards.
Crime Prevention
Centres  Do not keep your garage door opener in your vehicle, and do not set the ‘Home’
function with your exact address in your GPS device. If your vehicle gets stolen this
City information can direct the suspects directly to your residence.
112 East 3rd Street  Always lock your
North Vancouver, BC car, even in your
V7L 1E6 own driveway.
604-969-7465
 Do not store spare
District keys to your
355 West Queens Road vehicle in your
North Vancouver, BC vehicle.
V7N 4N5  Wait for the garage
604-990-2342 door to close behind
you.
 Use electronic
immobilizers.
Police Emergency  Use steering wheel
Crimes in Progress locks.
911
 Park your vehicle
in secure and well
Other Crime and lit areas.
Suspicious Activity  Consider getting
604-985-1311 motion-sensor
lights for your
carport or driveway.
Crimestoppers
1-800-222-Tips
Source: BC RCMP (www.bc.rcmp.ca)
 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 9-1-1
9-1-1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required: someone’s health, safety or
property is in jeopardy or a crime is in progress. When the 9-1-1 call-taker answers they will ask if you require “police,
fire or ambulance” and for which municipality. Once those details have been determined, your call will be immediately
transferred to the appropriate service and jurisdiction.

KNOW YOUR LOCATION

Know your location at all times and communicate it as soon as you are asked.
 Cellular and VOIP (Voice over Internet) phones do not display your exact location as occurs when you call from a
landline at a residence or business.
 In addition to exact addresses, knowing cross streets, business names, parks, buildings, landmarks, highway exits or
markers all assist in determining where to send help.

BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

Listen carefully, speak clearly and try to remain calm. Call-takers are trained to ask specific questions in a priority
sequence. These responses are transcribed electronically to the dispatcher and then to the emergency personnel on their
way to help you.
DON’T HANG UP

If you dial 9-1-1 in error from either a wireless device or landline, STAY ON THE LINE and tell us. If you hang up
before it is determined why you called or if it was a mistake, we will call back and send police to check on you.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL THE RCMP NON-EMERGENCY DETACHMENT LINE:
NORTH VANCOUVER RCMP: 604.985.1311

If you need police assistance for a non-emergency situation (ex. 15 min time delay since incident occurred, no injuries,
suspects location is unknown, etc.) please use the above number to contact the North Vancouver RCMP.
Examples of Non-Emergency Calls:
 Reporting a crime with no suspect (ex. theft of a licence plate, lost wallet)
 Reporting a crime with a suspect, who is not at scene (ex. fraud, mischief to property by neighbour)
 Reporting a serious crime with a suspect but a lengthy delay (ex. assault at bar occurred last night)
 Non-Emergency in progress (ex. noisy party – no known violence)
 On-going crime issues – not in progress (ex. neighbourhood speeding, graffiti, suspected drug dealing with no
suspect on view)
 Suspicious circumstances with ongoing criminal activity (ex. suspected drug operation)
 Follow up on previously reported incidents (ex. where is my vehicle towed when impounded for driving impaired,
have you found my family member, has the police officer spoken to the suspect in my file)
 Requesting information on Police Information Checks or fingerprints
 Inquiring about fingerprints, community policing programs, general inquiries, copies of police reports, etc.

PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER TO USE 9-1-1 FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY, AS NON-
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS TIE UP IMPORTANT LIFELINES MEANT FOR PEOPLE OR PROPERTY AT
RISK.
9-1-1 CALL-TAKERS CANNOT TRANSFER YOUR CALL TO NON-EMERGENCY LINES.

Ask a cop
Do you have concerns in your neighbourhood or a police related question you’d like
answered? Call or email Sgt. Kevin Bracewell, City Response Sergeant:
604-969-7559 or kevin.bracewell@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
 Block Watch Security Clearance
All individuals who volunteer for the North Vancouver RCMP, including Block Watch Liaisons, Captains and Co-
Captains, are required to complete a Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector, and renew it every five
years. This is not a new requirement, it has always been a mandatory process, however, the Provincial Government put
in new legislation in 2015 regarding Police Information Checks (previously Criminal Record Checks). Since that time,
the Block Watch office has constantly communicated these expectations and requirements to all Block Watch
volunteers. Previously, our practice was to update Police Information Checks every five years without the applicant's
consent. As volunteer Police Information Checks (PIC) expire past their five-year period of validity, the PIC process
must be repeated. Under new legislation, we cannot complete a Police Information Check without the applicant’s
consent.

All Block Watch volunteers will receive an email (or mail if no email address) reminder from the Block Watch office
when their Police Information Check needs to be renewed. Consent forms will be included with this reminder. These
forms need to be completed and brought to the North Vancouver Detachment at 147 East 14th Street with two pieces of
government issued identification. If a PIC renewal is not received within four weeks, a second reminder will be sent. If
there is no response to the second reminder, the volunteer will be removed for not meeting with program policies.

As Vulnerable Sector is being checked on these Police Information Checks, some volunteers may get a call to re-attend
the Detachment for fingerprints. This will occur if your date of birth and gender match those of someone in the Sex
Offender Registry. These prints are for elimination purposes only and will be destroyed after 90 days. There is no cause
for concern.

The North Vancouver Block Watch Program has Block Watch Training/Info Sessions
approximately 11,500 households participating. This is a
large number of people to “keep in the loop” with The Block Watch office holds training/information sessions
Block Watch information. We cannot run a successful throughout the year to train new volunteer Captains/Co-
Block Watch program with vacant positions. We currently Captains. If you or someone you know wishes to volunteer,
have an URGENT need for: please contact our office to enroll in a training session. Existing
volunteers wanting “refresher” training are also welcome to
Zone Liaisons
register.
Capilano—Zone 05
June 20th, 2019
City South– Zone 01 Captain/Co-Captain Training Session, 7:30pm-8:30pm at the
Delbrook—Zone 06 RCMP Detachment, 147 East 14th Street, North Vancouver.
Pemberton—Zone 01 IMPORTANT NOTICE
Pemberton– Zone 03 For security reasons, please be advised as of 2015 all
attendees must complete a Police Information Check to
Princess– Zone 06 attend the Block Watch training sessions. Please call or
email the Block Watch Office to register:
If you live in any of the 604-969-7553 or
above areas and have a few NVBlockWatch@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
hours to spare per month,
PLEASE call the Block Watch You must provide your name, date of birth, address, phone
Office for further information number and email address.
at 604-969-7553 or email NVBlockWatch@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Training will be provided at the RCMP Detachment. Anyone arriving for training who has not completed
their Police Information Check
Thank you for being concerned about neighbourhood will be unable to participate.
crime prevention!
 Reduce Conflict between People and Bears
Homeowner’s Checklist to Bear Proof your Home

 Garbage: Store garbage in a sealed and secure bin, or store it in a shed or outpost until pick-up day. Do not leave
garbage bags in your yard.
 Birdfeeders: Place birdfeeders out of bears’ reach, and keep the ground free of seeds. Avoid using birdfeeders in
the summer, spring & fall as birds have an abundance of food during these seasons. The use of a bird bath will
attract birds without attracting bears.
 Fruit Trees: Plant non-fruit bearing trees/shrubs when landscaping. Pick fruit as it ripens, or pick it before it
ripens if you do not intend to use the fruit. If you don’t want the fruit, one way to control fruit growth is by water
spraying the flowering tree to knock all the flowers off when first blooming. This will prevent the growth of fruit
but the tree will ripen and grow.
 Compost: Use a proper compost bin, and turn your compost regularly. Cover your compost with leaves, lime and
soil to reduce odours. Do not put fish, meat, fat, oils, unrinsed eggshells or any cooked foods into your compost.
 Pets and small livestock foods: Bring pet dishes indoors, and keep the area clean of any spilled pet and livestock
food. Store pet and livestock food indoors.
 Barbecues: Clean barbecues after use, and burn grease off the grill after each use (20 minutes with the lid closed
and the burners on high).
 Yards and property: Bears are known to break into outdoor freezers. Thin out brush to reduce natural cover close
to buildings and along pathways. Vegetable gardens, especially those containing potatoes and root vegetables
attract bears.
If you encounter a Bear: Remain calm; don’t panic. Never approach a bear but move away slowly. Do not yell or
scream. Talk in normal and non-threatening tone of voice so the bear can identify you as a human.
If the bear is threatening, persistent or aggressive, breaks into buildings or causes property damage, call the
Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
Source: Bear Aware (www.bearaware.bc.ca/bears)

Block Watch in Action

Block Watch Participant Plays Active Role in Arrest Neighbour Reported a Break & Enter Crime

In November 2018, an alert Block Watch participant in the In March 2019, a concerned Block Watch participant saw
Princess area noticed a suspicious male walking in the area lights and noticed some movement in their neighbour’s house.
The Block Watch participant was aware that the residents
with an expensive bike, as well as a skateboard. The
were away and called the police.
participant found it odd the male had both a skateboard and
bike and called police. Police attended and located several youths who had broken in
and were partying in the home. Thanks to the observant
The police attended and located the male. Police checks neighbour no damage was done to the home.
confirmed that the male was not from North Vancouver
and was breaching his conditions including not to possess
any tools or bicycles other than his own personal bike. The
male was arrested and charged with Breach of Conditions
and Possession of Stolen Property.

This is a fine example of how Block Watch works well

and, in this instance, undoubtedly prevented numerous
crimes from being perpetrated. Thank you to all our
diligent volunteers for being the extra eyes and ears for the
police.