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Mayor Jackson, CUPE BC president also attend noon-hour barbeque, orientation session

DELTA – Today’s launch of “City Watch”, a crime prevention program combining the efforts of municipal employees and local police, drew about150 civic workers to the North Delta Recreation Centre—thanks in no small part to perfect weather and barbequed hamburgers served up by members of CUPE 454.

Delta Mayor Lois Jackson and other municipal officials and staff were on hand at the noon-hour event, along with municipal police chief Jim Cessford, several local police officers and CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill.

Following the barbeque, the crowd filed into the rec centre auditorium where CUPE 454 president Darryl Robison introduced Jackson, Cessford and O’Neill.

Jackson praised the municipal workers for their “commitment to each other and to our community,” while Cessford said the “City Watch” program would enhance Delta’s reputation as one of the safest communities in B.C.

Our members know what a community is supposed to look like from day to day,” added O’Neill, “so when something doesn’t look right, we make sure it gets noted. It’s an extension of what we already do on our jobs.”

Robison wrapped up the event with a brief orientation session on the “City Watch” training manual. He encouraged members to use non-violent intervention when witnessing suspicious activities, repeating O’Neill’s comment that “City Watch” is “not a vigilante program.”

The program, whose purpose is to promote community safety through employee awareness, is designed to prevent and reduce crime by encouraging municipal employees to be alert to activities they might witness in the course of their jobs. Employee participation is voluntary.

Delta is one of 30 communities in B.C. that have participated in “City Watch”.

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 Contact:

Barry O’Neill
CUPE BC president
(604) 340-6768

Dan Gawthrop
Communications Representative
(604) 999-6132