The New Westminster Police began encouraging citizens involvement back in March of 1983, when they launched a community crime prevention initiative called Citizens’ Crime Watch Patrol Program (CCWP). Under the direction of the police, volunteers act as an extra set of eyes and ears by reporting suspicious, criminal, and nuisance behaviour to the police.

As directed by the New Westminster Police, CCWP volunteers patrol city streets, parks, and other public areas in vehicles and on foot. Suspicious, nuisance, and criminal activity including abandoned autos and other information of interest is passed along to the police via radios or mobile phones.

Citizens’ Crime Watch Patrol has grown and become a very valuable crime prevention initiative that operates from the police station and embraces the support of more than sixty volunteers. The success of this program is attributed to the remarkable relationship between the New Westminster Police and the dedicated citizens and volunteers who donate their time to our community. Information received from CCWP volunteers have led to some spectacular arrests.

Benefits of volunteering with CCWP:

• Belong to a team of dedicated and professional volunteers
• Learn about crime prevention techniques and strategies
• Help the police and the community
• Gain first-hand knowledge and experience about policing
• A commitment of only six hours a month