Richmond RCMP volunteers are ramping up their efforts to target speeders and reduce auto thefts.
Last month, as pandemic restrictions began to ease, volunteers with the Speed Watch program checked 2,778 vehicles and issued 96 warning letters for speeding.
Volunteers also stepped up Lock-Out Auto-Crime patrols in June, inspecting 1,745 vehicles and issuing 118 reminder letters.
The two proactive initiatives are meant to complement the ongoing enforcement and investigations carried out by Richmond RCMP’s Road Safety and Property Crime units, according to Ian Henderson, Richmond RCMP spokesperson.
Under the Speed Watch program, volunteers use an automated speed board to monitor traffic speeds in areas across the city where speeding is becoming a concern, according to Richmond Mounties. Volunteers record the license plates of speeding vehicles and registered owners later receive warning letters in the mail.
Meanwhile, Lock-Out Auto-Crime patrols are conducted in parking lots across Richmond where there’s been a noted increase in thefts from vehicles, and send reminder letters to registered owners to not leave valuable items inside their cars.
Henderson said Richmond Mounties will be ramping up these types of initiatives over the summer, which will be carried out in line with provincial COVID-19 health guidelines.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 for more information.
