Delta police are working with businesses to keep violent individuals out of local establishments.
According to a recent press release, the DPD’s Inadmissible Patron Program is a successful crime prevention tool that isn’t well known outside of participating businesses.
This public safety initiative between Delta businesses and the department is designed to deter individuals involved in serious or violent criminal activities from seeking entry into participating businesses. For example, people wearing gang colours or “support” clothing are explicitly forbidden from these establishments.
Participating businesses can be identified by a window decal at the entrances.
DPD officers conducted an average of 20 checks per month from October 2018 to March 2019, the release states, ejecting two to three parties each month from participating Delta establishments.
The program is run out of the DPD’s District Community Police Offices as they are well positioned to capitalize on the links between the community-based officers and local businesses.
“Our goal is to make Delta and these establishments an undesirable place for people involved in the drug trade, organized crime, weapons and violence,” Supt. Harj Sidhu, head of the DPD’s Community Policing Bureau, said in a press release.
The program has been in place for about 10 years, and Sidhu oversaw its design to ensure it met legal requirements under the Trespass Act.
“It’s been very successful,” he said. “We’ve had no gun-related activities at any of our registered establishments. The majority of the time those asked to leave just pay the bill and move on.”
Businesses and organizations wanting more information on the DPD’s Inadmissible Patron Program are asked to contact their local District Community Police Office. The North Delta office, located at 11906 80th Ave., is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for statutory holidays) and can be reached by calling 604-599-7280.
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