If you want to effect change, you can’t just sit around complaining – that’s the motto of one Burnaby resident who joined the city’s policing advisory committee in hopes of standing up for those without a voice.
Lindy McQueen is one of four Burnaby residents who chair community policing advisory committees (CPAC) in the city.
The committees act as a liaison between residents and the Burnaby RCMP and the city’s public safety committee.
The committees handle all types of safety complaints, concerns and issues, everything from frequent loud parties to break-and-enters, then they deliberate amongst themselves to determine the best course of action depending on the situation.
Often, after deliberation, the committee will forward the concerns or complaints to the Burnaby RCMP, who implement a plan of action to remedy the situation.
For several years, McQueen has been a member of the District 3 committee, which covers the City of Burnaby south from Highway #1 to Marine Drive and 10th Avenue, and east from Gilley and Sperling avenues to North Road.
She is currently in her second year as the district’s CPAC chair and has no intention of abandoning the committee she helped grow once her term is over.
When McQueen first joined, the southeast CPAC was a bare bones committee with only five members. Today the committee has 13 members who are dedicated to being an integral part of the community.
“As a group, we go up to George Derby on Remembrance Day and attend the service. And we have booths at Canada Day and other events throughout the year to get our message out,” McQueen said.
The NOW spoke with McQueen recently about her experience with the CPAC, how her volunteer experience came about, and the relationship between Burnaby residents and the RCMP.
Her advice to other residents: “You have to get out there and get involved.”
Q&A:
Why did you join?
My husband joined it a few years back, and it was something that I was interested in so I decided to join it.
Tell me about your committee.
Well, we have several people that have joined now, and we’re very lucky we have three students, two from Byrne Creek and one from Cariboo. They bring issues that they have from their school, which aren’t many, but they have really good input from their age level.
We have a fellow who sits on Block Watch around Hillside Gardens (B.C. Housing complex on Kingsway) so he brings his concerns, and then other people from their neighbourhoods, they bring their concerns, if they have any at the time.
Neil Body, who is the corporal there now, looks into and reports back, either before the next meeting or at the next meeting that things have been taken care of, and it’s just like keeping your finger on the pulse of various areas of the city.
Tell me about some issues that have come up in your area.
One fellow had a neighbour, a family that was their neighbour, and the police calls there were just through the roof. It only happened when the parents were away. The four sons decided to just trash the neighbourhood and have parties and keep everyone awake, hooting and hollering and stuff like that, and they finally moved. But (we hear) stuff like that, and the police address it. They go over and say, ‘Look you can’t keep doing this.’
What’s it like working so closely with the RCMP?
You come to understand they’re human beings, too. Their frustration level is a lot higher than mine, and they’re more tolerant, that kind of thing, I have found, but they do their jobs, and they do them very well. I think Burnaby is very well policed, and we have good people in place, I think.
How does it feel helping your community?
It’s gratifying. Rather than just complaining again, or something like that. I find that anything, any dealings I’ve had with the city, be it with the RCMP or people sprinkling when they shouldn’t be, it’s handled promptly, but with the police it’s dealt with efficiently and with care, and I just feel very well served.
What challenges have you faced since you’ve become chair?
Not really too many. We were really dwindling in numbers, we were down to five people and that isn’t good. … We’d just sit and chat, but I (couldn’t) abide. So I did up a letter, and I took it around to some of the businesses and condos saying, “We’re here to help, do you want to sit-in?” And it just started growing. It didn’t even come from the places I took the letter (she laughed). That was really strange. Now we’re up to 13 members
Are you always looking for more people to join the committee?
Well, our room is our cap and right now we’re straining at the walls, but I think there is a cap on the number of people who can sit on the committee, and that’s either 15 or 20.
How often do you meet?
Monthly. Our meetings are, and it varies in the districts, but District 3 we meet on the fourth Wednesday (of the month) at 4:30 p.m. at the district CPO office at Highgate.
If someone in your district had a public safety concern or issue, what should they do?
Well, they can go to the CPO office because there are complaint forms there they can fill out, and trust me they are read, and they are dealt with.
How do you know the complaints are read?
We’ve put in a couple over the years and within a week we hear back that the problem has been dealt with, fixed, they’re still looking in to it, whatever, but there’s still communication.
If someone doesn’t hear back?
They could certainly attend our meetings.
The meetings are open to anyone?
They can come as a visitor. They can’t vote or anything like that, but if they have a concern, there would be a time that they could speak, but there wouldn’t be any determination made at the meeting.
What have you learned about policing and public safety in Burnaby since joining?
You are your best watchperson, so to speak, and be careful of what you do, be cognizant of your surroundings, and if in trouble dial 9-1-1.
What would you say to someone who was thinking of joining the committee?
I would just say that if you care about your community, and you want to have input in how you see it develop, come and give us your ideas. If you sit at home and just complain, nothing happens. You have to get out there and get involved.
District 3 details:
Southeast quadrant of the city
Where: Extends south from Highway #1 to Marine Drive /10th Avenue, and east from Gilley/Sperling avenues to North Road.
Office: 7191 Arcola Way (Highgate)
Phone: 604-656-3275
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
