City Watch

Successful crime prevention and reduction relies on collective community efforts and City employees are doing their part to keep a watchful eye over local streets and neighbourhoods.

City Watch is a unique community safety program that encourages City employees to take an active role in increasing public safety. A partnership between the City of New Westminster, CUPE Local 387, New Westminster Fire and Rescue, and New Westminster Police Services, City Watch trains and encourages City workers to recognize and report suspicious or criminal activity they may witness while on the job.

City employees perform a variety of jobs in the community such as collecting garbage, repairing and cleaning streets, and maintaining City facilities and recreation centres. Their work and experience provides them with a unique familiarity of the community, enabling them to be an additional team of eyes and ears for any suspicious activity.

The program utilizes existing resources. As part of the City Watch program, each City vehicle displays a City Watch logo and is equipped with a special kit, which includes detailed information and documents for reporting suspicious activity. Most City vehicles are equipped with a two-way radio or cell phone, making it easy for City employees to immediately report unusual activity and provide police with accurate, timely information. A customized training program has been implemented to show City employees how to recognize record and report suspicious activity in a safe, effective manner.

The City of New Westminster is one of several BC municipalities working with CUPE BC, the sponsors of the City Watch program, to promote public safety in our communities.

For more information on the program, please contact , Manager, Human Resources at 604-527-4574.