The Sunrise Patrol Team (SPT) works to develop relationships with our local community members (especially in the business district), with the aim of deterring crime and increasing public safety, as well as helping homeless and other disadvantaged people to access services and support. The two-person team patrols our area four hours per day, five days a week. While on patrol, the volunteers look for signs of potential crime or disorder, and visit businesses to discuss any safety concerns. Patrollers report to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (HSCPC) to identify crime trends. Patrollers are trained by both the VPD and the HSCPC, and the program is operated in partnership with the Hastings North Business Improvement Association (HNBIA). We recently spoke with Raymond, who started working with the CPC Safety Patrol Team back in 2010. Raymond is a perfect example of the Sunrise Patrol Team’s dedicated street presence, acting as the eyes and ears for the local police and community. 
“I wanted to be part of the community and give back,” Raymond says about initially volunteering. “I have lived in this area for over 20 years. It’s a quiet neighbourhood, (with) a lot of shops and restaurants. It’s all close in proximity so it’s super convenient.” Raymond now works closely with Sunrise Patrol Team, and says he really enjoys being so involved in his own community. “I started because I really wanted to interact with businesses and people on a more personal level than you get just through regular volunteering at the CPC,” he says. “I really enjoy building that connection and rapport with businesses we visit on a regular basis.” Raymond is passionate about his role on The Sunrise Patrol Team, and that’s something which makes it so valuable in our district. “Businesses are able to connect with one another and with us and find out everything that is happening in the community,” Raymond says. “If they have an issue, they have a safe group of individuals they can speak with to help resolve that issue, (and) they also learn ways to keep themselves and their businesses safe.” For more information about the Sunrise Patrol Team and the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre, click here, and don’t forget to stay social on Twitter and Facebook.