(Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

BLOCK WATCH

City of Kamloops inviting residents to partake in Block Watch program

May 19, 2020 | 5:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is encouraging caring residents to put their observations to good use through the Block Watch program.

In a release, the city says the Block Watch program is ‘all about neighbours helping neighbours.’ Houses, apartments, and condos can form a communication group to watch out for each other’s homes, and report suspicious activities to police.

Community Development Coordinator Ben Chobater says this kind of engagement can be helpful in reducing the likelihood of residential crime.

“We recognize many residents are interested in neighbourhood safety and are participating in an informal way,” states Chobater, “Block Watch provides a structure and an important connection to the City and the RCMP.”

The release says Block Watch is simply an extension of what you might already be doing when you’re keeping an eye on a neighbour’s home while they’re away.

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Participants would have to be as concerned about unusual activity on a neighbour’s property as they would if it were happening on their own, and they also would need to report suspicious or criminal activity to the police.

The city notes that Block Watch does not require participants to do any special tasks or attend meetings. Residents are not going to be patrolling the neighbourhoods, or chasing suspected burglars. The release goes on to say that privacy will be maintained, and the program does not require participants to be ‘any friendlier than you want to be’.

For more information on how you can get involved with Block Watch, visit Kamloops.ca/BlockWatch.