Home › 2017

Yearly Archives: 2017

MVTP Constable Jenny Chung: making friends on the Evergreen Extension

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Written by Cst. Jenny Chung, NPO for North Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and the West Coast Express in Mission.

As a Neighbourhood Police Officer (NPO) for what we call a “Hub Area” in the northeast of Metro Vancouver, which includes the Evergreen Extension and surrounding area, I’ve been a part of the surrounding community since its opening in December 2016. I still remember getting drenched on opening day, but barely noticing thanks to the enthusiasm of the people who came out to celebrate this incredible new community amenity.

With the opening of the Evergreen Extension came the opportunity for me to further build on our existing partnerships with the Port Moody Police and Coquitlam RCMP. As a result of my assignment to our Hub Area I’ve had the opportunity to engage with other community groups and agencies like ICBC, Douglas College, and local youth groups, as well as local area businesses and schools. Through my presence at the Lougheed and Coquitlam Centre bus loops I have been able to further strengthen relationships with transit operators who drive CMBC buses on routes in the Tri-Cities.

These new and enhanced relationships have created opportunities for refreshed public safety campaigns, such as focusing on pedestrian safety with ICBC, the Coquitlam RCMP and Port Moody Police in areas around SkyTrain stations. We’ve had great feedback from the public and I’ve really enjoyed the positive interactions.

One project I’m proud to have participated in was a joint response to an increase of shoplifting incidents in and around Coquitlam Centre Mall, adjacent to Lincoln Station on Evergreen. Some of the suspects who would steal from area businesses would use the SkyTrain as their means of transportation. I was able to work in partnership with the Coquitlam RCMP, Loss Prevention Officers and my fellow MVTP colleagues to develop a strategy for prevention and enforcement. As a result of our joint policing and security collaboration, we have been able to identify and apprehend several prolific shoplifters, reduce these crimes, and make the transit system safer for our customers and the communities we serve.

One of my favourite things about my job is when I get to engage with the public – I am able to meet new people and get paid for it!

Follow Cst. Chung on Twitter

MVTP Constable Justin Biggs ‘connects the dots’ to keep transit and neighbourhoods safe

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

written by Cst. Justin Biggs, NPO for South Burnaby and New Westminster

As a Neighbourhood Police Officer (NPO), I received information from Metrotown Mall security and also another Transit Police Officer that one particular youth who is well known to Transit Police had returned to the Lower Mainland.  This youth was seen with his younger cousin who aspired to be like him according to the younger cousin’s Probation Officer.  These two quickly became involved in crime around SkyTrain Stations with other associates also known to Transit Police.

My concern for public safety and the future of these young men prompted me to host a meeting at Transit Police HQ bringing attention to other police agencies about the youth’s activities.  Representatives from VPD Youth Squad, New Westminster Police, Coquitlam RCMP Robbery Section, Transit Police Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), and Provincial Tactical Enforcement Priority Unit (PTEP) all attended.  The discussion focused on the youths’ background, recent offences, and potential for new offences.  The attendees thought the meeting to be very valuable.

The youth who was the subject of that meeting was arrested shortly after, and his interactions with Transit Police briefly ceased.  However, the story doesn’t end there as a number of his recent associates were suspects in cellphone robberies around Metrotown Mall and Station.  There appeared to be a trend in cellphone robberies around Metrotown with at least 15 personal robberies occurring since January 2017 to the end of March according to Burnaby RCMP.

I worked with another Transit Police officer and we were able to identify nearly all the robbery suspects.  Together we took the lead in identifying suspects for Burnaby RCMP and preparing police statements for their Reports to Crown Counsel.  In cases where a suspect was not known, I used my police, probation and community connections to identify witnesses who could identify them.

In Mid-March I arranged a meeting between Burnaby Strike Force, their crime analyst, myself, and my Transit Police colleague.  At this meeting I recommended a Joint Forces Operation between our organizations.  In just one week a Joint Operations project was approved.  I put the Burnaby Strike Force Corporal in touch with our Crime Reduction Unit sergeant and a Joint Forces Operation was planned.

The two youths I prioritized in my January meeting were arrested.  This arrest subsequently led to evidence of a recent robbery in Richmond and a fraud in Vancouver.  To date there have been no cellphone robberies around Metrotown or near the neighboring Patterson and Royal Oak Stations since their arrest.

New Transit Police display to promote SMS text service

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Check out our new display at Commercial-Broadway Station. We are promoting our non-emergency text number 87.77.77.

You can text us discreetly and in real time from anywhere on the transit system including the SkyTrain, bus, SeaBus or West Coast Express, or call us at 604-515-8300 if you have witnessed an incident, observed suspicious behaviour or if someone is making you feel uncomfortable.

Add us into your contacts, so we are always there to help. 

Top 5 safety tips for secondary and post-secondary students

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

If you’re heading off to school on transit by yourself for the first time next week – or you have a child who is – it can be a bit overwhelming. No need to worry though because we’re here to help. Follow our tips to enjoy a safe and stress-free commute.

  1. Know how to call for help – save our contact numbers in your mobile phone: 604.515.8300 or 87.77.77 for texts. Learn about security features on the transit system. Look for transit staff during your journey. Transit Police, SkyTrain Attendants and Canada Line Attendants are often found near the ticket machines or on platforms.
  2. Be confident about where you’re going – plan your route. Leave early so you’re not rushed. Have another route ready as a backup in case there’s a delay on your primary route. Sign up for Transit Alerts.
  3. Keep your personal belongings safe – take your backpack off and put it at your feet. Keep any valuables securely hidden in your bag. Be careful with your phone and other devices, especially when standing near transit vehicle doors.
  4. Be aware of your surroundings –stay in designated waiting areas when possible. Keep one earbud out of your ear so you can hear what’s going on. If you see someone acting in a way that makes you nervous, quietly move away – go to another part of the platform, sit closer to the bus driver, switch SkyTrain cars at the next station, etc. Share your concern with staff.
  5. Report problems – whether someone has touched you inappropriately, you see another person being harassed, you’re worried about the well-being of someone slumped over in a seat, or there’s something else causing you concern, please let us know. Text 87.77.77 and someone will respond right away.

Transit is a great way to get to school and back. We want you to enjoy your trip.

Follow Transit Police on Twitter

Find Transit Police on Facebook

Policing Moving Cities conference Vancouver, May1st/2nd.

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

May 1st and 2nd of 2017, Metro Vancouver Transit Police co-hosted, with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, what has been hailed as a ‘watershed conference’ for transit police and community safety providers. Delegates attended from across Canada, the U.S. and England.

The conference was addressed by internationally recognized leaders in the policing of bus and rail transit systems. These included Chief Constable Paul Crowther (British Transport Police), Chief Joe Fox (New York Police Department – Transit Bureau), Chief James Spiller (Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department) and Chief Dave Jutilla (King County Metro Transit Police).

Subjects common to all transit safety and security agencies were discussed. These included sexual offending on transit, terrorism, responses to vulnerable people suffering mental illness and essential industry partnerships.

This conference was extremely important, not only with respect to the sharing of the latest information and best practices by agencies directly involved in the policing of transit systems, but also to the leaders of jurisdictional police departments that have Transit Police/Security working within their borders. A better understanding of the challenges and need for strong partnerships was clearly provided.

The conference also had an opportunity to hear from Deputy Solicitor General (British Columbia) Mark Sieben, CEO of TransLink Kevin Desmond and many others on the value that specialist transit policing brings to the dynamic environment of transit. The Chief Constable of Vancouver Police Department and RCMP Assistant Commissioner Bill Fordy also spoke to the same matter.

The conference has been applauded by many and we have already received congratulations from delegates:

“It was an exceptional conference – one of the best conferences I have ever attended”

“ … I found this to be one of the most relevant and informative conferences I have attended in quite some time.”

The resounding message from delegates was that they look forward to the next one.

Transit Police profiled in Keeping Canada Safe video

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Last year, CBC’s Keeping Canada Safe spent some time filming a few members of the Transit Police as they went about their day, ensuring safety for our customers.

In under 4 minutes, the video they produced highlights just a few of the things that Transit Police do on a daily basis, including a glimpse into the role that plain clothes officers play.

To watch the video, click the following link: http://www.cbc.ca/keepingcanadasafe/features/vancouvers-transit-police