Restorative Justice Initiative Grows

New ways of addressing conflict in Vancouver are being created and nurtured – and Hastings Sunrise is in the forefront!

Since we first told Bulletin readers about Vancouver becoming a Restorative City in our Spring 2022 issue, large steps have been taken toward determining just what it would look like, starting in our community.

The vision is to have other processes beside police and courts involved in dealing with community conflict, harm and crime. To that end, an initiative has just launched and a cohort of local people are receiving training over the next few months to become “peacemakers”.

Three organizations are collaboratively leading this project: Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (HSCPC), and Peace of the Circle, which is the coordinating host organization of Vancouver becoming the first Restorative City in Canada. 

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Baby Powder Reveals Career Choice  –

When Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (HSCPC) volunteer Kajol Gounder was five years old, she put the accessories for her doll to good use. She got out baby powder and a small brush, not to pamper her baby doll, but to comb through her family house to collect fingerprints.

Fast forward two decades and Kajol is a lot closer to achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a forensic identification specialist. She graduated from BCIT with a degree in Forensic Science before being hired by the Vancouver Police Department as a Special Municipal Constable (SMC) earlier this year.

As a graduated SMC, she is currently employed in three different sectors: as a jail guard, in traffic authority and as community safety personnel.

“I enjoy working in community safety because I get to create a professional network that will further my career. Recently, I applied as a full-time jail guard because I’m planning to pursue a policing career and apply as a full member. This position will help me obtain the needed experience,” says Kajol.

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ICBC Provincial Impaired Driving Campaign  –

ICBC has teamed up with police, urging drivers to be responsible and plan ahead for a safe ride home this holiday season.

At this time of year, impaired driving is a serious concern in our province. It remains one of the top three contributing factors for fatal crashes in B.C. – claiming the lives of 61 people every year.

However, impaired driving crashes are completely preventable. By choosing a safe ride home, you’re helping to keep our roads safer for everyone, including yourself and your passengers.

If your holiday plans involve alcohol or other drugs, plan ahead to get home safe. Use a designated driver, call a taxi or rideshare, or take transit.

#GetHomeSafeBC 

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#DYK? Nearly half (43%) of crashes involving pedestrians happen between October and January as weather and visibility worsen in B.C. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re watching for pedestrians while driving:

🚶 Be realistic about your travel time. Leave earlier so you can take your time looking for pedestrians.

🚶 Watch out for pedestrians, especially when turning at intersections, crosswalks and near transit stops.

🚶 Reduce your speed in areas in school zones and playgrounds

🚶 Focus on the road. Always leave your phone alone while driving.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3LRhlcd

ICBC Fall Distracted Driving Campaign  –

ICBC has launched their Fall Distracted Driving Campaign!

One of the most pressing concerns on the roads is distracted driving, which continues to be a leading cause of accidents and injuries. Distracted driving is a factor in nearly 40% of police-reported car crash injuries and contributes to over 6,500 police-reported injuries and 77 deaths in B.C. each year. Research shows that drivers are 3.6 times more likely to crash if they’re using a hand-held electronic device while driving.

Police across B.C. will be ramping up enforcement throughout September, and community police volunteers will be setting up Cell Watch deployments to remind drivers to leave their phones alone.

Find more information here: https://bit.ly/3OXQX0S

Plaza Gets Bigger, Greener!  –

Over 20 pop-up plazas were installed throughout the city during the Covid-19 pandemic and have proven to be popular additions to the public sphere. They provide a place to eat, rest, socialize and participate in neighbourhood activities.

Given the popularity of the plazas, the city has decided to make them permanent. Many of them, including the plaza at Hastings and Kamloops Street, will be getting upgrades in the near future.

Once construction has been finalized, the plaza will be bigger and greener. It will offer more seating, a bike rack and street planters to make the plaza more inviting. The area will also hold storage containers and a utility box on which it is planned to install art wraps. The Hastings North Business Improvement Association (HNBIA) is also hoping to complete a mural this summer.

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Stay Alert to Opportunistic Crime  –

Summer weather not only brings flowers and long days, it can also bring opportunistic crime. Thieves are looking for homeowners who leave their doors or windows unsecured.  Protect your property and prevent crime:

• Safely secure doors and windows on all levels, even the small ones you think a person can’t fit through.
• Don’t be afraid to question people you find in your yard or loitering with no purpose.
• Get to know your neighbours; they could be an additional set of eyes and ears.
• Call 911 immediately if you see someone suspicious who appears to have intent to commit a crime.

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Slow Streets Barriers are Here to Stay

You may have noticed “Slow Streets” temporary barriers during COVID-19 to help with traffic calming. This allowed for community members to walk, bike, or roll* at intersections where vehicle speeds are reduced.

Reduced speeds make it safer for the community to walk/bike/roll in our neighbourhood.  It also allows for emergency vehicle access.

To decrease maintenance costs, the city has decided to make these Slow Streets more permanent with concrete barriers.  Areas that are unable to accommodate concrete barriers will have new signage installed to encourage Slow Streets.

A community survey completed last year saw a 70% approval of Slow Streets from 1,942 respondents. Those who were able to take advantage of Slow Streets tended to be more in favour of a Slow Street, as opposed to motorists who were less likely to support this traffic calming initiative.

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Volunteer Jeremy has a Painter’s Touch  –

Every Wednesday, Jeremy Goh helps out his community on a team painting out unwanted graffiti and tags with other volunteers in the HSCPC’s Community Clean Up program. But at home, he is a talented artist whose works brighten the walls of his family’s residence.

As a special needs person, the volunteer interactions and connections are present to help increase his skills. “It’s something he likes to do with others,” says Dominic Sabatino, his community support worker.

Dominic makes it clear that Jeremy is the volunteer and Dominic is there to ensure Jeremy is safe and not get hurt by his actions. “The CPC is a good fit,” he says. The volunteer duties are there but the team members know to look out for Jeremy.

While discarded needles are a risk to all volunteers, to Jeremy, sharp objects may not be thought of as a risk or danger. That’s where eagle-eye team members Kathy, Adam or Al pre-inspect an area where Jeremy may be painting.

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Shredding Day was a Win-Win!  –

Cloudy with a chance of showers was the forecast for our 2023 shredding event in May.

That might explain why we took in 8,500 pounds of documents for shredding – down slightly from 8,900 pounds in 2022.

But Shredding Day is always a sunny win\win for the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre and the community. The public can shred bulk documents securely for the low donation of $10 per box, and the CPC gets added funding to offer community-based programs for Hastings Sunrise.

Today’s culprits are identity thieves – an impersonator who uses your sensitive information. Protect yourself by saving documents and visiting us at next year’s event and we always help unload your car!

A big and warm Thank You to Rod Ivey at Best Shredding! Rod manages and operates the Best Shredding truck at our annual Shredding Day event.

Thanks also to the Hastings North Business Improvement Association (BIA) which co-hosts the shredding event each year.

Free and Fun! Here are some great events for kids and their families happening this summer in Hastings Sunrise!  –

After three years of Covid limitations, the HSCPC’s outreach program is back in full swing. Our staff and volunteers are thrilled about joining numerous events this summer, connecting with community members and providing information about safety and crime prevention. Of course, our popular Mini-POPAT* for kids (see below) will have a comeback as well! Bring your whole family – all of Hastings Sunrise’s summer events make for a lot of fun!

■ Nina Kreis, coordinator, Hastings Sunrise CPC

Franklin School Association presents:

Franklin Community Gathering Come check out the Mini-POPAT*, face painting, balloon twisting, and games. BBQ by donation or feel free to bring your own picnic! Fun for all ages! Located at Franklin Elementary School, 250 Skeena St.

Saturday June 24 – 4 to 7 PM

Thunderbird Community Centre presents:

Thunderbird Summer Kick-Off Kick off the summer with golfing, face painting, meeting Firefighters, and the Mini-POPAT*, 2311 Cassiar St., in the gravel field behind Thunderbird Community Centre

Thursday June 29 – 1 to 3 PM

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Be A Role Model – Take the Cleanup Challenge –

Jayson Cuizon has many reasons why he enjoys volunteering in the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre’s Community Cleanup Program.

“Most importantly, it gets me outside, away from the computer, and allows me to de-stress by engaging in physical activity. After I have joined a cleanup event on Saturday morning, I am ready for the weekend because it takes my brain off work,” says Jayson.

He joined the community cleanup team in January 2022 and comes out regularly on Saturdays for two hours to pick up litter or paint over graffiti in Hastings Sunrise. His motivation was to be a role model for his three sons and to show them how important it is to get involved and give back to the community.

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Watch for Coyotes –

In light of increasing concerns about coyote-related incidents in the Hastings Sunrise area, the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (HSCPC) recently hosted a coyote safety educational presentation provided by the Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES).

“This area connects green belts and will likely always have coyotes travelling through,” according to Nadia Xenakis, urban wildlife programs coordinator for the society.

“As there are a lot of townhouse complexes and buildings with high population densities, things like proper garbage management and keeping cats indoors are key.”

Here’s how to keep safe from coyotes:

1. Audit your properties and neighbourhoods for attractants (shelter and food)
2. Keep dogs leashed and cats indoors
3. Conduct hazing when encountering a coyote that is lingering or getting too close (scream, wave your arms, walk towards coyote, use airhorns, throw objects NEAR not AT the coyote, etc.)

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Welcome Our New NPO –

Hastings Sunrise has a new Neighbourhood Police Officer and he’s more than happy to be here.

Constable Todd Blower has taken over from Const. Kimberly Albright, who moved west to become the NPO for Grandview-Woodlands.

He’s a veteran of policing in District Two, which encompasses Hastings Sunrise and all northeast Vancouver. “I’ve been in Operations in District Two for 11 ½ years, more than half of my career,” says Const. Blower. “And I spent the last seven years in the Downtown East Side.”

So he is looking forward to helping the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (HSCPC) further its mandate to make our neighbourhood as safe, clean and welcoming as it can be.

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Shredding Day 2023  –

Mark your calendars! Our next Shredding Day will be happening on Saturday, May 6th from 10 am to 1 pm in the Sunrise Square Parking Lot (2500 Franklin Street). 

It’s a great opportunity for community members to dispose of personal documents to prevent identity theft and do something good for the environment. 

The suggested donation is $10 per box and all proceeds go to the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre to help keep our neighbourhood safe!

If you have any questions about the event, please contact us at 604-717-3584 or info@hscpc.com.