Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

Oliver Crime Watch volunteers made a difference in 2021, according to a report by coordinator Shirley Zelinski.

In a presentation to the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, Zelinski said they put in nearly 700 hours of patrols, with 168 dedicated to Speed Watch.

She reported they put in extra shifts around the high school to keep students safe during the “freedom” convoys and a highly publicized incidence of discrimination. 

Volunteers also controlled pedestrian traffic during Remembrance Day ceremonies.

As for Speed Watch, Zelinski said they set up signs around schools to slow people down. She suggested making speed signs available for community events as well.

While most drivers loathe potholes, Zelinski said they work great on slowing people down on Sawmill Road. “It’s perfect, don’t fix it,” she told the committee.

Zelinski stated that Crime Watch helped recover some stolen items last year, including ski equipment, a licence plate, and a garden tool.

Volunteer Bill Morrison asked Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth if police ever recovered a good quality trailer from Fairview Road. The officer replied there are a number of them, adding that Fairview is a “trade route” for stolen trailers.

Zelinski said that Crime Watch/Speed Watch is now recruiting new members, noting they currently have 19 but need double that. She explained that people can pick which shifts they want. A shift involves driving around the community and reporting  suspicious behaviour to police. Speed Watch involves monitoring vehicles.

Wrigglesworth expressed kudos to Crime Watch, saying he is a huge advocate of volunteers.

He said this kind of volunteering looks great on a resume and can lead to successful careers. For example, he pointed out that several volunteers he worked with are now correctional officers at the jail north of Oliver. And he said five previous citizens on patrol volunteers in Penticton have become RCMP officers and border guards.

Zelinski said Crime Watch needs an assistant and someone who can post some information online. 

Committee member Jim King suggested that she touch base with the local high school for students to do that type of work.