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TRURO, NS – Municipal outside workers in the Town of Truro have come up with an idea that will help make the town a bit safer.

Danny Cavanagh, the president of CUPE 734 representing the workers, says, “We approached the town with our idea of a CUPE watch program and they welcomed it with open arms. “

Cavanagh says, “CUPE wrote the town, asking them if they’d be interested in the program which involves outside municipal workers in helping other town forces with crime reduction and prevention.

The program is a joint effort between the Town of Truro, the Truro police and CUPE 734,” says Cavanagh.

Cavanagh says, “Town employees work everyday in virtually every corner of the town. Whether we’re cutting grass, fixing potholes, repairing water mains, plowing snow or cleaning streets, our work makes us intimately familiar with the community and ideally suited to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community.”

In other CUPE Watch communities across Canada, workers have assisted with recovering stolen cars, accident and heart attack victims and have reported a variety of criminal activities.

As part of the program, Cavanagh says the Truro police are training Local 734 members to recognize, watch for and report criminal or suspicious activity in and around town. The training will be completed by December 1st when the program will officially start.

Cavanagh, who is also the president of CUPE Nova Scotia, says, “This is just another example of how public sector workers really do help build strong communities, both in and out of the workplace.”

For information:

Danny Cavanagh, President, CUPE Local 734, (902) 957-0822 (Cell)

John McCracken, CUPE Communications Representative, (902) 455-4180 (o)

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