A BAY BLOCK WATCH AGAINST CRIME

Marian Bates has lived in Honeymoon Bay for decades and loves what
the small community on Cowichan Lake has to offer.

It's peaceful, quiet and has a relatively low crime rate compared to
bigger communities.

But with a potential increase in crime as the Cowichan Lake area
grows, including serious drugs such as crystal meth, Bates wants to
be proactive in preserving the great lifestyle of the community.
That's why she became involved in establishing a Block Watch program.

"That was certainly my main interest, that Block Watch might stop
someone from considering starting a crystal meth lab or a grow op in
our community, for example," she said. "Maybe we'll be a little too
nosy for the criminals' liking and they'll go somewhere else -- and I
don't mean nosy in a negative way. If this helps prevent crime,
that's the best option rather than waiting until the problems happen
and then respond after, when it might be too late."

Bates said the Block Watch program, which has been in the works in
Honeymoon Bay for more than a year, is not about people spying on
their neighbours, but rather neighbours helping neighbours.

"We have to stick together," she said.

Her goal is to get 75 percent of the community registered in the
Block Watch program to get it up and running by the end of January.

She said she still needs help registering people on Park Drive, Fifth
Street and the duplexes, as well as finishing registrations on Wall
Street. She estimates it takes about two days to get everyone on a
block registered.

"One of the big benefits to having a Block Watch program is on your
house insurance," said Bates. "Block Watch is recognized by the
insurance industry and can mean lower premiums."

She noted that some people have told her they already keep an eye on
their neighbourhood and don't think they have to join Block Watch.

Her answer to that is that it's better to formalize it through this program.

Anyone who wants to become a Block Watch volunteer can call Bates at
749-3734 or she is in Honeymoon Bay Hall on Tuesday afternoons.

A criminal search must be done on potential volunteers and they would
be given a photo ID card.