September was another very active month for the Gastown-Hastings Crossing Community Policing Centre, with staff and volunteers supporting community safety through outreach, education, volunteer development, neighbourhood enhancement, and collaborative partnerships.
Community Outreach and Engagement
This month, we expanded our outreach efforts by introducing regular community activations in Victory Square, complementing our ongoing presence in Pigeon Park. These activations allow us to connect with more community members, share resources, and strengthen relationships throughout the neighbourhood.
We also continued participating in the HxBIA Friday Lunch Series, attended the SFU Welcome Back Community BBQ, participated in the DTES Seniors Serving Agencies Collaborative, and provided meeting space for the City of Vancouver to support community collaboration and engagement.
Community Safety Education
During September, we hosted a Naloxone Training Workshop and partnered with Seniors First BC to deliver a workshop focused on fraud and scam prevention for older adults.
We also continued our successful collaboration with the Strathcona Community Policing Centre, delivering our third Personal Safety and De-escalation Workshop, equipping participants with practical tools to enhance personal safety and confidently navigate challenging situations.
Crime Prevention and Public Safety
We were pleased to participate in HUB Cycling's Bike the Night event at David Lam Park, partnering with Project 529 to register more than 30 bicycles! This exceeded the number of registrations completed during our first 6 months of operations last year event and reflects growing community interest in bicycle theft prevention.
Later in the month, we partnered with ICBC and the Vancouver Police Department for a distracted driving campaign at Main Street and Terminal Avenue, helping raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
We also joined community partners in celebrating the opening of the new Vancouver Police Department Training Academy in the Woodward's Building, an important investment in public safety and professional development.
Community Pride and Neighbourhood Enhancement
Our regular Community Cleanup program continued throughout September, helping keep local streets and public spaces clean and welcoming.
To recognize UN World Cleanup Day on September 20, we hosted an enhanced cleanup event with support from volunteers, community members, and Minister Terry Yung. Lunch was provided to participants, and we thank Nesters Market, Lee's Donuts, and Body Energy Club for their generous contributions of refreshments and treats.
Volunteer Development
Volunteer training and recruitment remain vital to our work.
This month, volunteers participated in our regular Foot Patrol Training session, helping strengthen their skills and confidence while supporting community safety initiatives. We also welcomed a new cohort of volunteers through a Volunteer Orientation session and look forward to their involvement in the months ahead.
Strengthening Community Partnerships
September provided several opportunities to strengthen relationships with community partners.
Staff and volunteers participated in the annual Vancouver Police Department Family Day, attended the HxBIA Annual General Meeting, and provided volunteers in support of the Vancouver Police Foundation Charity Classic Golf Tournament.
We were also proud to support the Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers Jail & Bail 2026 fundraiser. Our Programs Manager (Igor) stepped in for our Executive Director (Joe) as one of the event's "arrestees”, helping raise funds for regional crime prevention initiatives.
Thank You
Once again, all of our work would not be possible without the generous contribution of time from our volunteers and the generous contribution of materials from our community partners. Together we are helping to improve the safety and security of our neighbourhood.