Now that 2016 is behind us, your Cloverdale Community Policing team is optimistically pushing into 2017 with a resurrection of the community policing column established by my predecessors.
2016 proved to be a busy year. In addition to the existing general duty and specialized policing resources in Cloverdale/Port Kells (also known as “District 4”), the new Community Response Unit (CRU) made significant impacts in the area by addressing several problem residences and arresting numerous priority target offenders who tend to be responsible for a large percentage of the crimes in our area. CRU focuses on determining crime trends, and problematic individuals and properties in an effort to reduce crime and increase public safety.
Crime in Cloverdale and Port Kells has remained relatively stable year after year, which is no easy task considering the significant growth the community is experiencing.
I am often asked by community members about crime statistics and related information so I’ll take this opportunity to promote two great online sources: the Surrey RCMP website (www.surreyrcmp.ca) has a Crime Statistics section that is updated quarterly, and the new Surrey RCMP mobile app (available for Apple and Android products) includes a crime maps feature. You can also view the City of Surrey’s COSMOS application at www.surrey.ca to view select crime types by area.
Last year the Surrey RCMP Diversity and Community Engagement Unit made significant efforts to engage with the residents of Surrey with great success and very positive community feedback. These engagement efforts will continue in 2017 so feel free to interact with smiling Mounties at community events this year!
From a holistic engagement perspective, I encourage community members to mobilize and take an active role in the security and safety of their community. Examples of this would be participating in your neighbourhood Block Watch, or contacting the Surrey RCMP when you see suspicious or criminal circumstances occurring – “Observe It, Report It”.
My intent with this column is to keep things light, informative and of value to readers. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see in this column, please share them with me via the Cloverdale Community Policing Office email at cloverdale@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Happy New Year and best wishes for 2017!
Sgt. W.W. (Winston) ShoreyCommunity Response SergeantDistrict 4 — Surrey RCMP
Editor’s note: This is the first column in a monthly series by Sgt. W.W. Shorey, who will report on crime and the efforts of District 4’s Community Response Unit in Cloverdale and Port Kells.
