Despite dedicating two full-time civic staff members to the Block Watch program, at an annual cost of about $165,000, significant gaps exist throughout the city.
Lainie Goddard, manager of RCMP administration, says despite the best efforts of staff, the vast majority of Richmond does not have a Block Watch program.
"you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink," she explained.
In a report to council, Goddard notes there are 396 Block Watch groups for 9,300 participants (households). According to census data, Richmond has about 41,000 houses (and 27,000 apartments). In 2014 the program recruited 247 more participants, which totaled 14 new Block Watch groups.
In 2014 the program recruited 247 more participants, which totaled 14 new Block Watch groups.In 2015 the program has set a goal of 15 per cent increased participation.
Goddard said the program sends letters out to neighbourhoods affected by crime and has a Chinese-language outreach program, to which she said “some” progress has been made.
Goddard said aside from reduced crime (85 per cent of residential break-ins were in non-Block Watch neighbourhoods) Block Watch houses may receive a discount on home insurance.
“Go to your insurer and shop around for the best discount,” said Goddard.
