4
April 2021
COMMUNITY NEWS The mission of this non-profit publication is to provide the residents, businesses and organizations of Renfrew/Collingwood with a medium for community communication. Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinator Lisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinator Julie Cheng: editorial coordinator
Contributors: Brenda Krivuzoff, David Hurford, Deborah Acheampong, Karen Vanon, Kory Folkestad, Robert F. Edwards, Sophia Han, Three Links Care Centre, Vince Prasad
We want to hear from you!
Yes, You! Send comments, community events, press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail. Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome. We welcome appropriate, unsolicited editorial submissions if accompanied by the author’s real name, address and telephone number. The author should retain the original as we cannot return submissions without prior agreement nor does submission guarantee publication. We reserve the right to make editorial changes. The Renfrew/Collingwood Community News does not necessarily support the views of its contributors.
Next submission deadline: Apr. 10 The Renfrew-Collingwood Community News is an initiative of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).
Yo u C a n F i n d t h e RC Community News @ Libraries, Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Renfrew Park Community Centre, The Italian Cultural Centre, Collingwood Policing Office, other organizations, religious institutions, schools, laundromats, Starbucks, Rona, Superstore, Canadian Tire, Walmart, London Drugs and Safeway coffee shops, restaurants, markets, corner stores, other businesses, and coffee tables all over Renfrew-Collingwood.
Contact the RCCNews Phone: 604-435-0323 extension 261 Fax: 604-451-1191 Editorial: rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca Advertising: Phone Lisa Symons at 604.435.0323 email: rccnews-sales@cnh.bc.ca Renfrew/Collingwood Community News Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 6C9
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Crime prevention: Tips to stay safe and report suspicious activity by Cst. Kory Folkestad My name is Constable Kory Folkestad, and I am one of the Neighbourhood Police Team members for the Collingwood Community Policing Centre. I have worked as a patrol officer and neighbourhood policing team member in this area for over nine years. I feel a deep connection to the community and have a strong desire to address any safety concerns that citizens may have. This area of Vancouver is relatively safe, but unfortunately with the nicer weather, comes an increase in criminal activity. Here are a few general safety tips as we enter the spring season: Trust your gut It is helpful for police to be aware of any suspicious activity, even before a crime has occurred. This can include someone walking down the middle of the street looking into multiple car windows, or circling your neighbours’ yard and knocking on multiple doors.
It is the job of police to follow up with complaints of suspicious activity, even if a crime has not yet occurred. I always tell people to follow their instincts; if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t! How to report There are multiple ways to contact police to ensure a police response. I encourage people to call 9-1-1 if there is a situation that requires an immediate response, such as if someone’s personal safety is at risk or in danger, or if a crime is in progress. Even if a crime has not yet occurred, you can still call 9-1-1 to report suspicious people or activity. The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) also has a non-emergency line (604-717-3321) to report a crime that does not require an
In town for a concert, weekend getaway or sports event? Our nostalgic neighbourhood 2400 Motel offers great budget accommodation. The 2400 Motel on Kingsway is a Vancouver classic, a drive-in motor court offering units with kitchens or cozy motel style rooms. We are pet-friendly and have nice lawns and open areas to walk your pet.
Featuring: • Free Wireless Internet • Free Parking • On major transit route and near Skytrain
• 10 minutes from Metrotown • 15 minutes to Downtown Vancouver • Long term stay rates available
Call and Reserve Today! 2400 – Kingsway
Vancouver BC V5R 5G9 www.2400motel.com
Tel: 604-434-2464
Toll-Free: 1-888-833-2400 reservations@2400motel.com
immediate response or does not have any risk of violence. Examples for this include a break and enter, a theft or fraud that has already occurred with a long-time delay. The police will respond, but it will be based on order of priority. There is also an online reporting service available at vpd.ca for similar types of calls that are out of progress. Why report? The police want to help people as much as possible, and although we can be proactive, information from the public is invaluable. Police use the statistics generated by citizen reports to determine which areas could use extra resources to disrupt criminal activity. If people don’t report what is occurring in their neighbourhoods, the police are limited in their ability to effectively address community concerns. Further resources For general inquiries or information, feel free to contact the Collingwood CPC (info@collingwoodcpc.com). Executive director Partap Sahota, the employees and volunteers are all committed to working together as a team to improve the lives of everyone in the community. You can also go to www.VPD.ca for further crime prevention tips.
