RCMP has announced a crime prevention program in East Sooke that aims to have more people keeping an eye on their community.
Eight new Block Watch groups are now organized in East Sooke, following a community forum held last Friday.
The recent rise of property crime in East Sooke concerned residents, who organized the forum attended by Staff Sgt. Jeff McArthur, Const. Sam Haldane, and 87 residents.
“Block Watch is an effective way to develop relationships and awareness of local conditions amongst residents, enabling them to make their areas more difficult for criminals to target,” McArthur stated in a press release.
There are now 16 active Block Watch groups in Sooke, Shirley and Otter Point.
McArthur also announced at the community forum that Const. Matthew Kinnear will serve as the East Sooke liaison officer.
“Const. Kinnear is tasked with closely monitoring the situation in East Sooke, and getting information out in real time for our officers to act on,” McArthur said.