Dan Winiski is taking the lead on the return of a neighbourhood Block Watch program in Barriere, which is hosting a general information meeting on April 13.
The program had originally began in 2019, but it was shelved once COVID-19 hit. Barriere RCMP asked Winiski to lead the program in January because he already has experience as a Block Watch captain for East Barriere Lake, he said. The information meeting is scheduled 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barriere & District Seniors Drop-In Centre on Barriere Town Road.
It took a few months to get the program’s administration and funding in order, because the program needs to be registered with the Block Watch Society of B.C. Block Watch members surveilling for suspicious activities to report to each other and the police.
One common misconception is that a neighbourhood Block Watch involves vigilante actions, so Winiski aims to help everyone understand what the program can and cannot do.
“BlockWatch is a community crime prevention program where neighbours help neighbours,” Winiski told the Star Journal. “We are sanctioned by the RCMP, I have a background check and I’m a credible guy. It is all above board.”
When a neighbour is away from their home, block watch members might go visit it. If a neighbour feels scared and unsure if they are over-reacting, a block watch captain can provide support. A block watch captain takes care of the information and can ask a group of block members to check out an area.
Block Watch can also provide reminders and education about deterring crime, through small things like “hardening” one’s property.
With properties spread out across a rural area and some neighbours living outside of town leaving some homes vacant for part of the year, there are some unique challenges. For that reason, Winiski hopes to form blocks with roughly ten people in them. Winiski hopes to establish four blocks in town, which can grow as neighbours begin to form a community around the Block Watch.
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