COMMUNITY NEWS 3 - Sunday, February 26, 1989 - Lynn Valley Echo Kesidents are clamping down on crime in the Lynn Valley area RCMP FILE # 88-34045 t Af approximately 1740 hrs. a North Vancouver resident returned home | ;{ to find it B&E'd. A ueighbor approached her to advise be had seen two | young mates leave the residence st 1400 brs. carrying a red suitcase with them. They cat across bis yard and then disappeared onto paths beside a creek. He didn't want to meddle so didn't call the police. THIS TYPE of scenario continues to frustrate RCMP of- ficers in their attempt to clamp down on crime. However, the indifference shown by the neighbor in the case above is becoming less common in the Lynn Valley area, thanks to the efforts of participants in the Block Watch program. In 1987, over 360 break and enters were reported in Lynn Valley. That number dropped to 260 in 1988, due in large part, says North Vancouver RCMP Cst. Cliff Doherty, to citizen involvement in Block Watch. the number of Lyaz Valley break and enters. Initiated last June, the Block Watch system involves residents of a block banding together under the leadership of a bloc!. captain to keep a close eye on any potentially suspicious: comings and goings in ’ that area. . ~ “The enthusiasm shown by Lynn Valley has resulted in the majority of organized blocks being . set up there,”’ Doherty said. ‘Across the North Shore, 90 blocks, encompassing homes, are currently involved in Hear choir “COME LISTEN to the sounds of & the B.C. Tel concert choir at Lyno ‘Valley United Church on Tuesday, . MeThe 7:30 p.m. concert is part of the Something Grand series hosted -.by the church choir to help pay for their new grand piano. “) Ticket prices are $4 for adults; $3 for students and seniors. To reserve tickets, or for more infor- mation about the series, call 876- 3107 or the church at 987-2114. “Lyna Valley United Church is located at 3201 Mountain Hwy. N. Zealand | discussed TRAVEL NEW Zealand in your mind's eye at a video presentation offered at recCentre Lynn Valley. “The video-and. discussion, for seniors, is scheduled _ especially for Feb. 28 between 1:30 and 2:30 m. P: Vintage Tours will !ead the free ‘ seminar, and coffee and cookies will be served. , Call 984-9341 for more informa- tion. 1,600 ° the Block Watch program. While the RCMP train the block captain, provide written material for each household and drop into each block meeting, Doherty says it is up to the block captain to host the meetings, which occur at least once annually. “*Research,”’ he. said, ‘‘has shown that the most successful programs are those where citizens have the most involvement and the _ police have the least involvement.”*. At the meeting, residents might review home security measures suggested by the RCMP, discuss ways to improve neighborhood | 7 safeguards and hear an update on crime in that area from the visiting RCMP officer. Nancy McKerracher, a block captain who is firmly in favor of Block Watch, said, become a closer block because of this program. You tend to be more friendly. You feel more safe. I strongly recommend it.’’ McKerracher says that all the homes on her block have had their valuables marked and display the Block Watch. decal to warn off would-be robbers — a highly ef- fective manoeuvre, according to Doherty: ‘‘Early indications are that. the criminal elements are recognizing the : Block Watch “We have: photo Mike Wea (leid FAML. IES LIKE the McKerrachers of Upper Lynn Valley are helping cut down on the crime rate in their nelghbesseod by belonging to the Block Watch program. Seven-year-old Mike displays a Block Watch infor- mation pamphlet while mother Nancy and brother Brian apply a Block Watch decal to the door of their home. RCMP «tatistics are showing that would-be thieves are, for the most part, staying clear of homes participating in the prcgram. decals and are preferring to go to areas where the decal is not displayed.” |... : McKerracher says the network established in her block has been used a number of times. On one occasion she pkoned her neighbors to warn them of a window washer she felt. was soliciting business door-to-door in a suspicious man- her; another time someone was spotted crawling through a house’s ” BRING HOME THE BEST. BAKED FRESH DAILY \ ISLAND “MARKET 685-1678 WITH THIS COUPON PLAIN — POPPY — SESAME MULTIGRAIN — HONEY RAISIN PUMPERNICKEL ONION UMIT 4 DOZEN PER CUSTOMER EXPIRY DATE MARCH 5, 1989 - AVAILABLE AT 3 LOCATIONS ONLY 4 GRANVILLE = WESTMINSTER QUAY MARKET 520-1124 Lee ee ee PARK AND. §f TILFORD MALL $83-2502 back window. In the latter instance, the ‘‘pro- wler’’ turned out to be the home- owners’ teenage son who had forgotten his key, but, as Doherty noted, the RCMP would much rather people called for assistance even when they aren’t sure a crime is being committed. - Each block is also. part of a “telephone fan-out’? system, through which a large number of STATION LOUNGE people are mobilized quickly in the event of a missing child or other urgent occurrences. The RCMP holds twice-monthly information sessions on organizing a Block Watch program in your neighborhood, Next dates for the- meetings are March 2, 16 and 30 at North Vancouver District Hall, 355 W. Queens Rd. For more in- formation on the program, ‘call 985-0800. AT THE LYNNWOOD INN #sTacos | H29...9419 ” Hockey Games when avaliable. Movie follows NHL game. Bring your friends and Join the fun! = © LYNNWOOD INN | 1515 Barrow Main at Mountain Hwy. 88-6161