2024 Annual Report

CITY OF CHILLIWACK | 2024 Annual Report 58 PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 60 SCHOOL SAFETY TALKS BY SCHOOL LIAISONS 42,798 POLICE CALLS FOR SERVICE 2024 HIGHLIGHTS The Public Safety and Social Development Department is responsible for the provision of support services to Chilliwack RCMP as well as for the development and implementation of collaborative plans and initiatives to address social issues and improve community safety. Police Services The Chilliwack RCMP Community Policing Office (CPO) is part of a regional detachment that serves the Upper Fraser Valley area. Through the dedication of police officers, civilian staff, and volunteers, the CPO works to enhance public safety through core policing services and educational programs. Police Support Services Municipal employees provide administrative and operational support in the areas of exhibits, prisoner guarding, client services, records management, crime analysis, crime prevention services, court services, media relations, and fleet maintenance. A large team of dedicated volunteers work with municipal employees and RCMP to deliver crime prevention programs such as Speed Watch, Business Watch, Block Watch, City Watch, and Crime Free Multi-Housing. Social Development This section works with a wide range of community partners and senior levels of government to address social issues and improve the health, safety and well-being of the community. Staff are responsible for developing and implementing the following community-based plans and initiatives: • Chilliwack Healthier Community. • Chillliwack Homelessness Action Plan. • Chilliwack Community Safety Plan. • Reaching Home Projects - funded by the Government of Canada to prevent and reduce homelessness. 5,931 CRIME PREVENTION VOLUNTEER HOURS 52 BLOCK WATCH COMMUNITIES 20 COMMUNITY SAFETY PRESENTATIONS Business Watch – New program launched in partnership with RCMP to support crime prevention, improved communication with merchants, increased reporting, and crime prevention education. – Target hardening recommendations based on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design evaluations. – 22 businesses registered and continues to grow. Victim Services – 877 new clients supported. – 89 call-outs attended. – Program enhancements with online referral capabilities for police officers. – Streamlined call-out procedures to enable faster response time and improved support for victims of crime. Reaching Home Program – Granted over $1,151,913 to local service providers for provision of coordinated outreach, homelessness prevention and diversion, and housing services projects. Biking through Vedder Park Tourism Chilliwack

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc2MA==