City of Langley kicks off campaign to reduce neighbourhood crime

You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “love thy neighbour.” Well, the City of Langley wants you to first get to know your neighbour through its second annual campaign aimed at fostering local ties and reducing crime.

A product of the Crime Prevention Task Group (CPTG), the initiative involves volunteers hitting the streets and going door-to-door educating residents — one household at a time — on crime prevention and ways to improve neighbourhood safety.

“The main focus of the project is community engagement and people getting to know their neighbours,” said Dave Selvage, municipal bylaw enforcement manager.

The city is seeking potential canvassers, some of who will be sent out on familiar streets and others a bit beyond to cover a greater area. Two upcoming dates are scheduled: Saturday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 5 between 10 a.m. and noon. Interested in helping out? Give Selvage a call at 604-514-2822 or send an email to dselvage@langleycity.ca.  Candidates must be 19 years or older.

CPTG will provide training covering best practices and general tips to ensure everything goes smoothly, on the evening of Sept. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. The goal is to reach more than 700 homes in Langley.

Other duties of the CPTG include working with businesses to strengthen security, sharing information about RCMP programs with the public and engaging both high risk youth and their parents, as well as seniors, on issues specifically pertinent to their demographic. To learn more or to volunteer visit the website.

“We want residents to get to know one another and help us build a strong, safe community,” said Selvage.