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Ridge Meadows RCMP 2023 Year in Review

Ridge Meadows

2024-04-12 11:29 PDT

File # Public Advisory

Maple Ridge, B.C. – Ridge Meadows RCMP are proud to share the 2023 Year in Review video with the public.

The video showcases the Ridge Meadows RCMP’s efforts in policing, community engagement, new initiatives and significant moments in the last year.

Transcription
Text on Screen: Ridge Meadows RCMP 2023 Year in Review
SUPT. WENDY MEHAT:
Hello, I’m Superintendent Wendy Mehat, Officer-in-Charge of the Ridge Meadows RCMP, and I wanted to share some highlights from 2023.
We have 131 police officers and 58 Municipal Employees dedicated to serving the communities of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie First Nations.
Our officers responded to over 25,000 calls for service in our communities and assisted in providing support to provincial operational deployments like the BC wildfires.
The investigative efforts of our officers contributed to 1,058 reports to Crown council with the recommendation of charges.
In July of last year, we welcomed a new Inspector in charge of police operations.
Now that inspector, Martin Guay will speak with you about some of our operational success.
Inspector Guay:
Thanks, Ma’am. I’m Inspector Guay and public safety will always be a primary focus for the Ridge Meadows RCMP.
In 2023, our frontline members conducted over 2000 proactive patrols in our communities.
Frontline members often times engage with files related to vulnerable people in our community and work to connect them with the resources and supports they need.
In 2023, members responded to nearly 500 missing persons files and over 1500 mental health files
Another priority for our members is ensuring the Maple Ridge town centre is safe for its businesses and residents.
Last year we launched Project Dovetail, a two-month safety initiative focusing on retail thefts in downtown. In those two-months, our members engaged with over 100 businesses, hundreds of community members and worked to cut shoplifting in half.
We also introduced buy and sell safe zones offering the public a secure area to complete transactions made using online marketplaces.
Our frontline officers are out there 24/7 and are often the first to respond to all complaints.
That includes sacrificing time with their loved ones on major holidays to ensure safety and engage with citizens during community celebrations such as the Pitt Meadows Day parade, Canada Day festivities, Santa Claus Parade and the Pitt Meadows Christmas Tree lighting.
INSP. ADAM GANDER
Hi, Inspector Adam Gander here. 2023 was a busy year for our specialized units and teams.
The Street Enforcement Unit worked over 80 files, with a heavy focus theft and break and enters. SEU disrupted multiple robbery series, including recovering over $30,000 worth of stolen property.
The Serious Crimes Unit and Investigative Support Team worked over 300 files combined, often teaming up or working with external partners such as IHIT and IERT to apprehend multiple high-risk repeat offenders
The Road Safety Target Team removed close to 700 drivers from the road last year for driving under the influence, distracted, or speeding excessively.
We also introduced a new team - the Ridge Family and Youth Resources Support Team. Ridge FYRST is an early intervention program for youth, and their families, who are vulnerable to an at-risk lifestyle or criminal activity.
2023 was also a busy year with the celebration of RCMP 150 and increased engagement at community events.
Our first ever Open House welcomed thousands of residents to our detachment to get a first-hand interactive family Policing experience.
We implemented Fist Bump Friday on a full-time basis to give young students a fun way to start the day.
Coffee with a cop allowed us to meet with you in an informal community setting while supporting local businesses.
We were proud to raise funds and food for the Friends in Need Foodbank with Pack the PC and to support local Special Olympics athletes at the polar plunge and Law Enforcement Torch run, raising over $10,000.
SUPT. WENDY MEHAT
On September 22, 2023, we suffered a devastating loss with the on-duty death of Constable Rick O’Brien.
The loss of Rick will be felt deeply by his family, his colleagues and the communities of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam and across the country
This tragedy affected us immensely and while I am inspired by the resilience of our members, we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we received from our communities.
We’re proud of what we achieved in 2023 and happy to share our highlights with you.
We thank the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, the Katzie First Nation, Mayors, council and our community stakeholders for their unwavering support.
We are looking forwards to an eventful and safe 2024. See you out there.

RCMP crest with www.ridgemeadows.gc.ca, facbook.com/RMRCMP and twitter.com/RidgeRCMP written below
RCMP end credits with copyright info reading His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2022
Canada graphic with waving flag turning into solid Canadian flag

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Released by:

Cst. Tisha Parsons
Media Relations Officer
Ridge Meadows RCMP
11990 Haney Place Maple Ridge, BC V2X 9B8
Office: 604-476-6917
Fax: 604-467-7633

Email: tisha.parsons@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: ridgemeadows.rcmp.ca (English only)

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