Surrey Crime Prevention Society (SCPS) under the leadership of Karen Reid Sidhu, Executive Director, has been selected as the Recipient of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association Crime Prevention Award for 2013. The award was given to SCPS on Wednesday and Karen Reid Sidhu was proud to receive it.
“Most of the volunteer kids we have in our program are South Asian. I would say almost 75 percent of them. What we’re doing is public awareness and education, but we’re also doing observation and reporting. So anything we observe in the community, we report it,” Karen Reid Sidhu told The Voice.
SCPS currently has 240 Volunteers supporting the many programs delivered to the communities in Surrey.
Volunteers contributed over16,594 volunteer hours last year towards the enhancement of community safety.
Volunteers audited 20,204 vehicles through the Locking Out Auto Crime Program.
Volunteers measured the speed of over 50,000 vehicles through the Speed Watch Program and were monitoring areas involving school zones, playground zones and high impact areas identified by ICBC.
Among other important tasks, SCPS provides:
• traffic safety awareness
• community safety volunteer tours
• community safety watch
• anti-graffiti reporting and removal
Surrey Crime Prevention Society is also looking for volunteers to support their Community Safety Volunteer Tours and Speed Watch Programs. Community Safety Volunteer Tours walk or cycle designated areas in pairs to observe and report suspicious activities. Volunteers are issued equipment such as bicycles, two-way radios and reflective visibility jackets. Volunteers never get involved in situations, but observe and report from a safe distance. Volunteers are expected to commit for a minimum of one year at one two hour shift per week.
Speed Watch Volunteers work with a team and set up a speed reader board that tracks vehicles driving at excessive speeds in playground areas, school zones and high risk crash sites. This program assists with traffic and speeding issues through data collection and public awareness. Volunteers gain valuable experience and perspective through traffic safety initiatives and are invited to Speed Watch training events throughout the year. Volunteers are expected to commit for a four hour shift once a month – weather permitting.
Applicants must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check, obtain their Driver’s Abstract and participate in a brief Volunteer Suitability Interview. Volunteers are required to commit to a 2-hour shift once/week.
SCPS offers the following programs delivered by their dedicated volunteers:
• Anti-Graffiti Program – court appointed community service hour clients support this program
• Wire and Metal Theft Public Safety Awareness Program
• Community Safety Program | Newton, Fleetwood, Guildford, Downtown, Crescent Beach
• Citizens Community Safety Watch – throughout the City of Surrey
• Special Events Programs
• Traffic Safety Program – Cell Watch, Traffic Control
• Speed Watch Program
• Community Safety Youth Leadership and Mentorship Program
