CIVIC STAFF TO WATCH FOR CRIME

Delta municipal employees received their first training session under
the "City Watch" anti-crime program Tuesday at the North Delta
Recreation Centre.

The program is a B.C.-wide initiative by the Canadian Union of Public
Employees (CUPE) that trains outside workers to recognize and report
suspicious activities and locations like grow ops, meth labs and
automobile "chop shops."

"We're going to incorporate it into our regular crew training
sessions" said Daryl Robison, president of CUPE local 454, which
represents Delta civic employees.

He described the program as a low-cost initiative that puts more eyes
and ears on municipal streets.

Robison said workers aren't expected to intervene, but to observe,
handing in reports of suspicious activity with their paperwork every day.

The program was approved by Delta Council in April.

It has cost the municipality less than $5,000, the price of producing
City Watch decals for civic vehicles, training brochures and other
materials for staff.