‘Crime prevention is a community responsibility’ - that’s a credo that many Chilliwack residents - particularly Speed Watch volunteers like Ed Pearce - have obviously taken to heart.

With Pearce’s help, Chilliwack Speed Watch volunteers have checked over 60,000 vehicles in the past three years and logged over 1,400 hours of service making it “one of the most productive” crime prevention programs in B.C., according to the Solicitor-General’s ministry.

Earlier this month, Pearce received the ministry’s prestigious Volunteer Award, which honours individual commitment to a community through outstanding contribution toward crime prevention and community safety.

But Pearce is just one shining example of the way Chilliwack residents are fighting back against crime, RCMP Cpl. Lea-Anne Dunlop said on the eve of Crime Prevention Week.

“At least 12 arrests in Chilliwack in the last year can be directly attributed to the community calling, and providing information to the police,” Dunlop said. Public tips led to arrests for robbery, stolen vehicles, possession of stolen property, careless use of firearms, break-and-enters, and marijuana production.

“Numerous missing person cases have also been solved,” Dunlop added, “and let us not forget Winston the dog, who was stolen along with a pick-up truck and returned to his very thankful owners because of the eyes of the community.”

Citizens On Patrol volunteers have also been keeping an eye on Chilliwack, Cultus Lake, the Chilliwack River Valley and Promontory “hitting the streets both on foot and in vehicle patrols to help curb crime in our community,” Dunlop said.

Hockey fans will be happy to know Chilliwack COP volunteers are keeping an eye on arena parking lots during Bruins games, donating 3,100 hours of their time.

Dunlop said Chilliwack’s ground-breaking restorative justice program has also made a “considerable impact on crime prevention” through early intervention with first-time offenders.

“Since its inception over ten years ago, the program has managed over 1,680 cases and returned $73,000 in restitution money back to the community and businesses that have been victimized,” she said.

Pearce started as a Speed Watch volunteer in Chilliwack 10 years ago, and now trains and coordinates a team of 25 volunteers.

Dunlop said Pearce has become a “jack-of-all-trades” at the community policing office where he puts in almost 40 hours a week contributing to crime prevention programs.

“Ed Pearce is a true asset to the road-safety and community-policing initiatives carried out through Chilliwack community policing, and he has set the stage for many more successful years,” she said.

“He is one of the most dedicated volunteers I have had the pleasure of working with over the years, and I know that sentiment would be echoed by many others.”

For more information about volunteering for a crime prevention program call Chilliwack’s community policing office at 604-393-3000.