Safety Team Moves Into Boundary Area 

Big changes are coming to the East Hastings business area from Cassiar to Boundary Road – and your BIA/CPC partnership will be there to help.

That section of the “East Village” has long been served by the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (CPC), but now the Hastings North Business Improvement Association (BIA) has expanded eastward to represent this rapidly changing business area.

Many of the old buildings are being replaced by new business and residential developments. As these developments complete construction, new opportunities will be available for businesses to enliven the street and offer additional services and options for residents.  The CPC and the BIA are looking forward to being of assistance to both the new and old business and property owners moving forward.

Our most visible presence will be the Sunrise Safety Team (SST), which has been patrolling the Hastings strip from Renfrew to Clark Drive, and the adjacent industrial area, for the past 11 years. Wearing bright blue jackets and travelling in pairs, they will visit the new area two days a week to develop relationships with businesses and work with them to address crime and safety issues.

Team members will liaise with residents and visitors as well as focus on quality-of-life concerns such as litter, illegal dumping, graffiti and discarded needles. They will also connect with homeless and street people and provide support when appropriate.

The program is run by the CPC in partnership with the BIA.

Says Patricia Barnes, the BIA’s executive director: “We are very excited to welcome business and property owners to join the East Village, and we look forward to working together, advocating and being there for you.”