KERRISDALE OAKRIDGE MARPOLE COMMUNITY POLICING CENTRE

Vancouver’s west side is fortunate to have the Kerrisdale Oakridge Marpole Community Policing Centre. The KOM CPC relies on a volunteer base committed to helping prevent criminal activity while being a positive, proactive bridge between the neighbourhood and the Vancouver Police Department.

The KOM CPC dates back to the late 1980s when the Oakridge area experienced an increase in crime. The neighbourhood’s police sub-station had closed down and the community lacked a visible police presence. In the late 1990s, the Oakridge Seniors’ Centre and the Marpole Oakridge Area Council Society had similar goals, to help improve community safety and crime prevention. The Vancouver Police Department prompted the two groups to work together and assigned a full-time constable to the area.

The KOM CPC is located on East Boulevard near West 44th Avenue. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The VPD uses the office around the clock as needed.

Kate Molloy is KOM CPC’s new executive director; she has been with the non-profit organization for six months. Kate arrived in Canada two years ago from her native Ireland. She has an M.A. in Public Advocacy from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She says, “This is a big part of why I work in community-based organizations.”

She mentions, “Community policing was new to me when I first began. This is not something we have in Ireland. I have always enjoyed working with the community and what better way to do that than by helping with problems they might be having? There are a lot of different areas in community policing, which is great. We get to work hands-on with a variety of people. Most days are different from the day before which I enjoy.”

Constable James Hooper is the Community Policing Centre’s NPO (Neighbourhood Police Officer). He is a direct VPD member who works as one of the head contacts in Patrol District Four.

Crime reporting can be done at the community policing centre. Drop in and the staff will create a folder, take notes of what happened and make a report. Constable Hooper reads it and follows up. If the matter is too serious, it may have to be reported directly to the VPD. Crimes including theft under $10,000, stolen vehicles, lost property, stolen or lost plates and validation tags, and lost or stolen passports can be reported by calling the KOM CPC office, and they will report it to the VPD.

You must be at least 19 years old to volunteer. Some volunteers hope to pursue a career in law enforcement, while others are committed to community safety and positive engagement.

Volunteers patrol the neighbourhood both day and night by foot. Unique to the KOM CPC, its high-visibility night patrol executes afterdark patrols focused on areas experiencing increased activity. Focused on deterrence and awareness, patrol routes are chosen using VPD crime statistics and neighbourhood input to maximize visibility. The night patrol does not intervene in crimes.

The Bike Patrol is essential for patrolling the KOM CPC’s 28-square kilometre area, roughly forty per cent of Vancouver’s landmass. In addition to community patrols, their highvisibility CAN-BIKE certified volunteers carry out crime prevention activities requiring fastresponse such as VPD-issued crime alerts and theft from auto audits.

Volunteers will also visit local businesses to listen to any complaints or concerns. This service familiarizes businesses with the KOM CPC and lets them know the community policing centre is there for them.

Kate played an instrumental role in launching and running the Marpole Community Food Hub. In early December 2020, she coordinated three groups of volunteers to work three times a week to assist with packing bags and distributing food. The Salvation Army, Monte Cristo Bakery, and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank provide food donations to this ongoing program that feeds approximately 220 people a week in the Kerrisdale, Oakridge, and Marpole neighbourhoods. This has helped promote KOM CPC’s name and has also brought in new volunteers.

In partnership with ICBC, high-visibility Speed Watch volunteers are deployed on roadways to gently remind motorists to reduce speeds and keep their eyes on the road.

KOM CPC participates in Project 529, a free registration service that helps trace stolen bicycles. Bicycles can be registered at the office or during community events.

Although the world looks different during the COVID-19 pandemic and special events are currently on hold, KOM CPC volunteers are typically engaged in community events such as Kerrisdale Days, Marpole Family Day Festival, and Pink Shirt Days, as well as activities in partnership with local schools.

If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to your community by participating in patrols, event outreach, presentations, and office activities, assisting the VPD or other community policing centres when needed, the KOM CPC always welcomes and greatly appreciates new volunteers.

Thank you for all that you do for Kerrisdale and our neighbouring communities, KOM CPC staff, and volunteers!

Kerrisdale Oakridge Marpole Community Policing Centre, 6070 East Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6M 3V5

Telephone 604-717-3434

www.komcpc.org