Squamish RCMP are looking to put more ears and eyes on the road in an effort to curb petty crime.
For the first time, the Squamish Community Police Office is launching a pilot project to put a volunteer bike patrol team on Squamish's streets. The police detachment has its own bike patrol members, but officials are constantly balancing sending officers out on two wheels vs. responding to calls on four, RCMP Sgt. Wayne Pride said.
"We welcome this type of community involvement," he said.
Last year, officers were busy tackling a spree of thefts from vehicles. Squamish experienced an approximate 53 per cent jump in such incidents. In 2012, 259 vehicles were broken into and items stolen, 90 more than the year before. There were four main hot spots for this activity - the Shannon Falls parking lot, Stawamus Chief parking lot, around Hunter Place and Discovery Way.
The new patrol will be able to target those areas, Pride said. Volunteers can also aid in educating people against such crime, he noted.
"It's the community watching out for the community," he said.
The Summer Bike Patrol Program is supported by the police detachment and ICBC. Participants learn about crime prevention and will be trained in what to look for and how to react, Pride said. The patrol will liaise with RCMP and call in any suspicious activity.
"It will help that people will know they are out there," he said.
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. They must complete a criminal record check and volunteer application and will undergo a suitability interview. Those applying must be willing to dedicate a full season - spring and summer - to the program, and successfully complete the training for the bike program.
Applications can be picked up at the Squamish RCMP's Community Police Office at 38030 Cleveland Ave. or at the main detachment at 1000 Finch Dr.
The application deadline is Tuesday (April 30). Training will begin on May 16, between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. For more information call (604) 892-9213.
