The Barriere and District Block Watch program is establishing a presence in the community with the support of local officials, RCMP, volunteers and community organizations.
In a recent conversation with Black Press, Block Watch Coordinator Dan Winiski said “Since the program was relaunched in the Barriere area at the beginning of April, there are now 38 area residents enrolled in the program. Block groups have been formed in the Birch Lane neighbourhood, the Dunsmuire Road neighbourhood and at East Barriere Lake.”
Winiski is optimistic about the participation, saying “We had set a goal of forming three to four block groups this year, and we are off to a good start.”
To help promote the program, Winiski engaged the Barriere Senior Secondary Visual Arts class to create a series of posters to be used to bring awareness to it. The students produced six colourful and inclusive posters, outlining program objectives. The informational posters will be used at community events in the District throughout the year.
Barriere RCMP Cst. Dallas Hunt agrees with Winiski, saying “Block Watch is a beneficial tool that allows members of the community to feel safe through active participation. The Block Watch aim is to provide knowledge of security measures that will protect residents, property and the community by teaching local citizens how to recognize and properly report suspicious activity and behaviours to police.”
The main objective of the Block Watch Society of B.C. is to partner with communities to build safer neighbourhoods by encouraging residents to take a proactive approach to crime prevention and safety. Through educational material and presentations provided by the Block Watch Program, volunteers learn how to recognize suspicious activity, how and when to report crime to police, target hardening, preservation of evidence and how to be a good witness. Block Watch provides a means for the community to take responsibility for its own safety by reducing the opportunity for crime.
Participation in the Block Watch Program is free to residents. Ideally, a group of neighbours creates a block group and the Block Watch team will provide training, coaching, and help in setting up a communication link between neighbours. Winiski would like to see another block formed in Barriere, but is also looking to form blocks in areas outside Barriere.
Block Watch is available to residents in Vinsulla, McLure, Louis Creek, Barriere, Simpcw First Nation, Darfield, Squam Bay, Brennan Creek, Knouff Lake, East Barriere Lake, North Barriere Lake, Little Fort south rural area, and Blucher Hall.
If you are interested in joining the Block Watch Program, or would like additional information, please call Dan Winiski at 778-220-6746, or email him at dan.winiski@gmail.com.
