A Saanich father whoB次元官网网址檚 been the target of multiple cases of vandalism is wondering why heB次元官网网址檚 unable to join the Block Watch program in his neighbourhood.
Eugene Pan and family reside on Kent Street off Carey Road where theyB次元官网网址檝e been the victim of multiple acts of property vandalism this year.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 feel safe,B次元官网网址� Pan said. B次元官网网址淚 went to a Block Watch introductory meeting in April then applied to join. I was told the [neighbourhood] captain would get back to me, but we never heard from anyone.
B次元官网网址淭his is like a private club, I donB次元官网网址檛 get how they can run something like this?
The idea to join Block Watch started with ongoing cases of property vandalism outside the PansB次元官网网址� Kent Street home.
PanB次元官网网址檚 security camera recorded several incidents, including four separate acts of vandalism just after midnight on March 12. It began with what seemed like a random act as someone tore a low-hanging motion-sensor light off his driveway entrance and then smashed the mirror of his car. Then what looks like the same person returns several times to remove another security light and then runs something sharp along the side of PanB次元官网网址檚 car, effectively B次元官网网址渒eyingB次元官网网址� it from back to front.
Then on May 15, PanB次元官网网址檚 other family vehicle was damaged. This time, he got it fixed and on Aug. 1, it was damaged again, a single scratch once again running along the length of the driverB次元官网网址檚 side.
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In the meantime, Pan attended a second Block Watch meeting hoping to learn why he hadnB次元官网网址檛 been contacted by the local captain, stating he has no criminal history, one of the main stipulations for denying membership.
Neither Saanich Police, which is the local member of the Block Watch Society of B.C., nor the society itself, are at liberty to share the name of the captain, citing privacy issues.
In addition, people applying to join their local Block Watch group also have to pass a suitability clearance.
Spokesperson Sgt. Jereme Leslie said Saanich Police confirmed there is an existing Block Watch Group for Kent Street.
B次元官网网址淚t appears the group didnB次元官网网址檛 wish for this particular neighbour to join,B次元官网网址� Leslie said. B次元官网网址淲e attempted to mediate this situation to try to bring harmony to the neighbourhood, however, this was not successful.B次元官网网址�
What Saanich Block Watch did offer was a type of B次元官网网址渕ini Block WatchB次元官网网址� in which Pan and his family would be a group unto itself. They could report to Saanich Block Watch but would not liaise with the established group on his block.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 see the point, Block Watch is about neighbours looking out for each other,B次元官网网址� Pan said. B次元官网网址淚 already look out for my own house.B次元官网网址�
Leslie pointed out that Saanich Police canB次元官网网址檛 impose the Block Watch program on neighbourhoods.
B次元官网网址淧articipation in Block Watch is voluntary and a resident can decline the partnership with their neighbours,B次元官网网址� Leslie said.
For Pan, itB次元官网网址檚 odd that a socially funded program B次元官网网址� Block Watch operates through grants from the Ministry of Justice B次元官网网址� can allow its leaders to decide on who joins the local chapters without any oversight into the decision process.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like someone is abusing the program,B次元官网网址� Pan said B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e not letting me in and I donB次元官网网址檛 think it should be a secret organization,B次元官网网址� Pan said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a private club, so theoretically, everyone should be able to join it as long as you donB次元官网网址檛 have any criminal record.B次元官网网址�
