The provincial government has named the Hope Crime Prevention Society as one of this year’s winners of a Ministry of Justice Community Safety and Crime Prevention Award.
The Hope Crime Prevention Society is a volunteer-led, non-profit society that has 55 members and runs several programs including a night patrol, day patrol, tunnel watch, Block Watch and Speed Watch. The programs have been successful largely because of the commitment of their volunteers. Between 2012 and 2013, property crime in the Hope area decreased by 17 per cent.
“I think this award speaks volumes to what ordinary citizens can achieve if they put their mind to it,” said Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness. “I think we owe each of the volunteers a debt of gratitude for taking precious time out of their lives to service the community.”
The Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards, now in their 17th year, are bestowed on people and organizations in B.C. for their exemplary leadership in community safety and crime prevention and courage to stand up to crime.
The awards are jointly hosted by the BC Crime Prevention Association (BCCPA) and the provincial Ministry of Justice and lead into B.C.’s Crime Prevention Week, Nov. 1-7.