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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release Nov. 5, 2010 |
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
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COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CRIME PREVENTION HONOURED
VICTORIA – Const. Bruce Ballingall of the New Westminster Police has received B.C.’s highest honour in community safety and crime prevention for his outstanding contribution and extraordinary dedication to helping make B.C. communities a better place to live, announced Solicitor General Rich Coleman today when presenting the Anthony J. Hulme Award of Distinction.
“For over 30 years Const. Ballingall has chosen to lead by example when it comes to crime prevention in his community,” said Coleman. “His dedication and level of involvement with numerous volunteer organizations have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, the residents of New Westminster and of British Columbia.”
Const. Ballingall has been widely recognized for his contributions to community policing. Over the years, he has led the implementation of crime prevention programs such as Graffiti Eradication, Citizens on Patrol and Block Watch, and partnered with community organizations and volunteers to ensure success. He has also been a long-time member of the B.C. Crime Prevention Association.
The 12th Annual Solicitor General Crime Prevention and Community Safety Awards recognize excellence and leadership demonstrated by children or youth, service clubs, media, business, local government, community policing and individual dedicated volunteers in crime prevention and community safety.
This year’s recipients include:
· A Williams Lake resident who has trained 250 community justice facilitators.
· A Surrey police officer whose strong commitment to at-risk youth has had a profound and positive impact on youth-police relationships.
· A Vancouver service club that provides funds to run over 100 school-based prevention and education workshops on the topic of sexual exploitation.
· Coquitlam students who helped 84 residents in the Downtown Eastside connect with their estranged families.
“Crime in our communities should not be tolerated, and the commitment and willingness to get involved demonstrated by the men, women and young people honoured here today proves that,” said Coleman. “All British Columbians benefit from the contributions of these individuals and my hope is that others will be inspired to participate in keeping their communities safe.”
Award recipients are selected by the Provincial Safe Communities Working Group, comprised of representatives from government, police and community organizations.
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A backgrounder follows.
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Media Contact:
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Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 250 356-6961 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
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For Immediate Release Nov. 5, 2010 |
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
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2010 SOLICITOR GENERAL COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION AWARDS RECIPIENTS
The Anthony J. Hulme Award of Distinction – honours extraordinary lifetime contribution and commitment to crime prevention and community safety.
Const. Bruce Ballingall – New Westminster Police Service – New Westminster
Const. Bruce Ballingall has been a street and community police officer for more than 30 years. His career began in 1976 with the Winnipeg Police Service and 10 years later he transferred to the New Westminster Police Service where he has been widely recognized for his unique contributions to community policing.
Throughout his career, Ballingall has proven to be a driving force in community policing and is nicknamed “The Legend” in his community of New Westminster. He was instrumental in the development of several community policing initiatives including the Graffiti Eradication Program, Crime Free Multi Housing, Citizens on Patrol, Block Watch, Volunteer Bicycle Patrol and others. In addition, his commitment to community policing is demonstrated by his strong partnerships with the British Columbia Crime Prevention Association, B.C. Law Enforcement Diversity Network, and the Rock Solid Foundation. Ballingall also organizes the annual Pulling Together Canoe Journey, a partnership that brings together Aboriginal youth and police for the purpose of fostering greater understanding and trust.
Kenneth M. Lemckert Community Policing Award – recognizes an individual or community group that has provided exemplary leadership in the area of community policing.
Staff Sgt. Ben Bentley – Newton District RCMP – Surrey
Staff Sgt. Ben Bentley is a dedicated officer who has spearheaded many strategic crime prevention partnerships in the community of Surrey. While Bentley was District Commander of the Newton District of the RCMP from January 2009 until September 2010, he was responsible for several community policing initiatives including the creation of the Newton Integrated Services Team (N.I.S.T.), which is instrumental in communicating RCMP initiatives to the public and building community partnerships. Bentley also serves on the Crime and Justice Team of the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT).
Wael T. Audi Youth Policing Award – honours police officers who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to working with youth in their communities.
Staff Sgt. Rob McCloy – Surrey RCMP – Surrey
Staff Sgt. Rob McCloy started the SPURS Youth Group for teens aged 14-18 in September 2007. The program gives youth an overview of policing work and covers topics such as history of the RCMP, basic law, crime scene security, search and seizure, identification, impaired driving, motor vehicle incidents, and drill and deportment. Students also learn team-building skills and gain self-confidence as the program progresses. Now going into its fourth year, 150 youth have completed the program and another 50 will take part this year.
Const. John Wilson – Surrey RCMP – Surrey
Const. John Wilson is a true asset to the Surrey RCMP, the City of Surrey, the Surrey Wrap Project, and to at-risk youth in the area. While working with the Surrey Wrap Program (a partnership between the RCMP and the Surrey School District), Wilson has dedicated tremendous amounts of time and energy to disadvantaged youth. His strong commitment to at-risk youth has had a profound impact on youth-police relationships, as previously disenfranchised youth are now reaching out to the Surrey RCMP for support and resources.
Crime Prevention & Community Safety Award – Community/Group/Organization –recognizes exemplary leadership through developing innovative projects, key activities or initiatives to promote safe communities.
E.A.S.Y. Program – Circle of Eagles Lodge Society and the Vancouver Police Department
The Eastside Aboriginal Space for Youth (EASY) gang prevention program has been instrumental in helping to eliminate risk factors related to criminal and gang activity for Aboriginal youth. Since the program was implemented in November 2009, EASY staff members have delivered support and mentoring programs to youth, including a late night resource program, outreach and recreational activities.
Crime Prevention & Community Safety Award – Individual – honours exemplary leadership in the area of crime prevention and community safety and contributions to the development of innovative projects, key activities or initiatives to promote safe communities.
Lisa Mock – Surrey
Lisa Mock has been with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society for approximately 11 years. She is the manager of the Mobile Patrol and works with the Surrey RCMP Auto Crime Target Team and I.M.P.A.C.T. (Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Team). Mock helps locate stolen vehicles and stolen plates and assists the RCMP in arresting car thieves. Since she has been with the Crime Prevention Society, Mock has aided in the recovery of more than 1,900 stolen vehicles and countless stolen licence plates, and the arrest of 460 suspects.
Dave Dickson – Williams Lake
Upon retirement, Dave Dickson became the Safer Communities coordinator with the Williams Lake RCMP, serving as the liaison between the Community Policing committee, the RCMP and the City of Williams Lake. Dickson was instrumental in establishing many community policing programs such as Business Watch and Downtown CCTV (Closed Circuit Television). He’s also responsible for increasing the number of volunteers for Mounted Citizens on Patrol to approximately 225, and spearheaded the Positive Ticketing Program where children are rewarded for being positive members of the community.
Children or Youth Leadership Award – honours positive role models for children or youth in their community and encourages their active participation in crime prevention and community safety projects.
HELLO (Helping Everyone Locate Loved Ones) – Coquitlam
The HELLO project began as a one-day field trip for students at Dr. Charles Best Secondary in Coquitlam to help residents of the Downtown East Side (DTES). After meeting with DTES residents who had lost their connection with family, students began to reach out to family members who had not heard from their loved one for several years. The students were able to share with the families that their relative was alive and thinking of them. The project has since spiralled into dozens of trips to the DTES, more than 30 shifts in the Tri-Cities with the Wet Mat Program, and hours of research tracking down families. To date, the HELLO project has contacted 84 families.
Local Government Award – recognizes outstanding leadership in the area of promoting and implementing crime prevention and community safety strategies within their community.
Surrey School Board – Surrey
In the largest school district in B.C., the Surrey Board of Education has prioritized safe schools/safe communities and crime prevention through innovative, progressive and successful education and intervention programs.
Beginning in 2004 with the introduction of a comprehensive new Safe Schools policy and a regulation that formed the foundation and direction of safety-related initiatives, the board has sponsored or directed the implementation of several programs including iR3 (Intervention, Refocus, Reflect and Reintegrate), Wraparound Surrey, First Step, Gateway DVD, and Gangs & Guns.
Service Club Award – recognizes outstanding contributions towards crime prevention and community safety services.
BC Social Venture Partners – Vancouver
BC Social Venture Partners (BCSVP) is a network of more than 75 business leaders who demonstrate commitment and innovation in helping to enhance community safety. BCSVP has supported initiatives aimed at the prevention of the sexual exploitation of children and youth, including providing funds to run over 100 school-based prevention and education workshops on sexual exploitation to more than 7500 children and youth annually.
Media Award – honours an individual’s commitment for actively promoting crime prevention and community safety programs either by audio, visual, and/or written methods.
Constable Ian MacDonald – Abbotsford Police Department, Abbotsford
Const. Ian MacDonald, Abbotsford Police Department’s Public Information Officer, has made an outstanding contribution to community safety by raising the profile of crime prevention efforts through audio, visual and written media. He has also been an integral part of several Abbotsford Police Department crime prevention initiatives including OPERATION IMPACT (a presentation to more than 6500 secondary school students), OPERATION VERITAS (series of crime prevention videos) and OPERATION IMPACT II (a presentation to more than 5500 middle school students).
Corporate Award – honours an organization for outstanding contributions towards crime prevention and community safety strategies
Absolute Lock & Safe Ltd. – New Westminster
For several years, Absolute Lock & Safe has been a strong supporter of crime prevention programs throughout Metro Vancouver. The owner, Marcel Leon, began his relationship with the New Westminster Police Department in 2006 by providing free security advice and lock display materials to educate local citizens about home security. The passion he brought to various home security initiatives was so contagious that he was soon recognized and invited to other neighbouring communities. In addition, Absolute Lock & Safe staff members regularly attend security booths at Crime Free Multi-Housing and Block Watch events throughout Metro Vancouver.
Volunteer Award – honours an individual’s commitment to their community through outstanding contribution towards crime prevention and community safety.
Sandra Hawkins – Williams Lake
Since Sandra Hawkins became Community Justice Forum facilitator in 2000, she has led facilitator classes in communities throughout the province and trained approximately 250 community justice facilitators. Hawkins was also instrumental in organizing a “Journey of Understanding,” during which 10 members of the Williams Lake Community Council for Restorative Justice travelled to nearby reserves to meet with representatives and elders.
Ray Lawley – Kelowna
Since Ray Lawley joined the West Kelowna Citizens Patrol Society in 2007, he has averaged more than 50 hours of service per month. Lawley has been actively involved in the Friday and Saturday evening patrols in the community, and while on patrol he assisted in the identification of four stolen vehicles, which were then recovered by the RCMP.
Willy Galka – Kelowna
Since Willy Galka joined the West Kelowna Citizens Patrol in 2007, he has contributed on average more than 43 hours of service per month. Galka has been actively involved in the Friday and Saturday evening patrols in the community, and while on patrol he assisted in the identification of four stolen vehicles, which were then recovered by the RCMP. Galka also volunteers to monitor and maintain patrol equipment and provides his own vehicle for the patrol.
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Media Contact:
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Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 250 356-6961 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
