TAKE ACTION ON CRIME

It's not the kind of headline anyone likes to read about their
community. Last week Mcleans' Magazine released its third annual list
of "Most Dangerous Cities" in Canada, and sitting at No. 9 was Chilliwack.

Helping us earn that distinction was a first-place finish in
residential break-ins. The number of B&Es in Chilliwack, says the
magazine, is more than twice the national average.

Mayor Sharon Gaetz was quick to respond. Her appeal was not for more
police, but for help addressing the root cause of property crimes -
drug use.

She called on the provincial government to release funds for a
"contact centre" that helps people transition from street life and
drug dependency to a lifestyle that is active and engaged.

Planning has been underway for years; even a tentative location has
been identified. The only thing needed is money.

But funding will only solve part of the problem. The other side of the
coin is deterrence.

Break ins are often crimes of opportunity. Criminals forage through
neighbourhoods looking for anything they can sell, with the least
amount of risk and trouble. Increase the risk and you can deter the
crime.

Alarms are an obvious choice, however there are other tactics. The
shrubs you enjoy around your window, for example, provide perfect
cover for someone trying to break in. Better lighting, and an
appreciation for something called "Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design" can go a long way toward making your home less
inviting to a criminal.

But the best help might come from just across the fence. When
neighbours look out for neighbours the crime rate falls. In Chilliwack
there's a program called BlockWatch that will help neighbours assemble
the necessary tools to help keep their street safe.

The program doesn't come with any guarantees, only that doing nothing
will likely mean more of the same.

And perhaps another headline next year.