The Saanich Police Department wishes to thank all of the volunteers that assist the Department in many different areas of service delivery.
The Saanich Block Watch has 1,046 volunteers in the roles of Captain, Co-Captain or Area Coordinator. Since 2010 our Block Watch program has grown from 398blocks to the current total of 635 blocks, which represents an approximate netincrease of 60% since 2010. There are 9,827 Saanich homes currently involved inthe program.
The Ace Mascot Team continues to be very popular at community events. We have36 volunteers on our Ace Mascot Team which resulted in a total of eighty (80)community event appearances by ‘Ace’ in 2014.
The Saanich Police Reserve Constable program has a full-strength volunteer complement of fifty (50) Reserve Constables. Presently there are 38 Reserve Constables who provided over 8,000 hours of their time in 2014.
In addition , Saanich Police were fortunate to have 23 Camosun College students contribute approximately 2,500 hours of volunteer time in 2014. The students helped to deliver and assist with many community programs including Block Watch, Cell Watch, Lock Out Auto Crime and Business Watch.
Lastly, Saanich Police were supported by a student intern volunteer from VIU (Vancouver Island University) during the spring of 2015 who contributed 336 hours on Crime Prevention-related programs.
On April 15th, 2015, the Saanich Police Department held a volunteer appreciation night at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Mayor Richard Atwell, Police Board Member Gail Flitton and Chief Constable Bob Downie were among the guests in attendance. Sixty (60) Saanich Block Watch volunteers were honoured for either 10 or 15 years of volunteer service to the program. Our full-time Coordinator of Volunteers, Saanich Police employee Ian Gibbs, was presented with a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his superior performance.
Ian Gibbs and Chief Constable Bob Downie
“We have over 1100 volunteers in the Saanich community who help us deliver many worthwhile crime prevention programs” Staff Sergeant Scott Treble said. “These volunteers come from all walks of life. They help us to build, maintain and grow strong relationships with many people in the community. We’re very appreciative for their time and their dedication.”
To our dedicated volunteers, from all of us at the Saanich Police Department, THANK YOU!
Sgt. Steve Eassie #158