Grants will be awarded subject to the criteria found within the Vancouver Police Foundation charter, specifically, as follows:

• promoting programs of research and education relating to law enforcement
• encouraging public participation in law enforcement
• emphasizing the role of the police in the community
• encouraging community awareness of the problems of crime and crime prevention

Proposals must be submitted to Valerie MacLean, Executive Director, Vancouver Police Foundation, c/o Office of the Chief Constable.

All proposals must include:

1. A detailed outline of the proposal, including all costs to be incurred, timelines etc.
2. Identification of the specific person responsible and accountable for the processing of funds and project evaluation.
3. Source(s) of additional funding, if available. While it is our wish to assist as much as possible it may be necessary for you to seek out additional funding as well. If this is the case please itemize what that process will be and names of other funders.
4. A completed grant application form. The grant application form is available online.

NOTE: Applications must be forwarded through the chain of command and receive the endorsement of the Divisional Commander. Applications received without such approval will not be eligible and will be returned to the applicant.

The proposals will be reviewed relative to the Vancouver Police Foundation criteria. Following this process, the authors of the projects that have been selected for consideration will be invited to present their proposal at the next meeting of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Proposals with the highest likelihood of approval will be those that are unique and creative but which cannot be funded by means of the regular operational and/or administrative budget of the Vancouver Police Department.

It should be noted that the Foundation prefers to grant “seed money” to assist in the commencement of a project, with additional funding coming from other sources such as the community. The Trustees also prefer to give “one-time only” grants. Funds will go to projects under the direct control of the Vancouver Police Department, not outside agencies.

An evaluation report to the Foundation is due within six months of the grant approval.

Grant Applications must be submitted no later than May 1, 2010.

Chief Constable Jim Chu and every VPD officer displayed professionalism, integrity and calm while keeping our beautiful city, our visitors, and all of us safe during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

They ensured that not only would the world marvel at Vancouver’s hosting of the 2010 Games but that Vancouverites would as well. The officers worked long and punishing hours, but always with a friendly smile, and in doing so made us proud to be Canadian and proud of our police officers.

Please help the Vancouver Police Foundation support VPD by joining now at
http://www.vancouverpolicefoundation.org/membership/apply-online/

VPF Mission

The Vancouver Police Foundation promotes alternative funding to inspire innovative community partnerships with the Vancouver Police Department. These partnerships enhance public safety, foster professional development and fund unique neighborhood initiatives to help make Vancouver the safest major city in Canada.

Contact:

Valerie MacLean Executive Director - Vancouver Police Foundation
604-717- 3700

The VPD sent out its first Crime Alerts on January 29, 2010. One of the VPD’s first Alerts was for a break and enter problem to businesses on Denman St. The break-ins were occurring during the night and residents were asked to keep a sharp eye out for suspicious activity both on the ground and on roof tops. Three days later a local resident, who had gotten up in the early morning hours for a glass of water, looked out his window and saw a suspicious person committing what he thought was a break and enter to a business. He called 911, and the VPD responded and arrested a suspect a short distance away.

The alert resident later told investigators that he was being extra vigilant because he knew that break-ins had been happening in the area because of the email Crime Alert he had received.

Made possible through the generous assistance of the Vancouver Police Foundation, the free Neighbourhood Crime Alert Service will send updates on crime in your neighbourhood and crime prevention information to your email account. Please invite your neighbours and fellow Vancouverites to sign up to the VPD’s Crime Alert Service so that we can continue to make Vancouver the safest major city in Canada - visit www.vpdcrimealerts.ca for more information. You can also support the VPD’s use of innovative crime-fighting projects by joining the Vancouver Police Foundation today.

The VPD have displayed incredible restraint, integrity and professionalism as the world watches. If you want to show your support for the VPD, then please help us continue to provide funding to the VPD in the ongoing and never-ending fight against crime - become a member of the Vancouver Police Foundation today.

Statement from Inspector Les Yeo, VPD Operations Investigative Division

We are pleased that the Executive Director of the Vancouver Police Foundation, Valerie McLean, is here today. The Foundation has generously donated the funding required for this new service I’m going to tell you about.

The Vancouver Police Department believes that every man, woman and child living in our city has a right to live safely, peacefully and securely.

No one should have to worry that when they leave their home or business it will become the target of thieves.

The VPD is committed to making Vancouver the safest major city in the country and reducing property crime is a continuing priority for us.

Recently I was before you speaking on Project Larceny, and at that time I spoke about future initiatives around property crime.

Today we are launching an innovative crime prevention and awareness program which will enhance our partnership with the community.

It’s called the Neighbourhood Crime Alert Service.  If you sign up with your email address, you will receive updates on crime in your neighbourhood to your email account.  Registration is free and no personal information other than an email address is required.

You can also choose to receive a weekly email with a link to VPD’s crime maps, showing thermal imaging of actual crime reported to the Vancouver Police Department.

When it comes to crime prevention we all have a role to play.

This new program will engage the community, increase public awareness and allow people to take an active role in preventing crime that directly affects them.

• 04-Dec-2009: Interview with Valerie MacLean - News1130 (Part 1) (mp3)
• 04-Dec-2009: Interview with Valerie MacLean - News1130 (Part 2) (mp3)

The FLIR (M-626L) Thermal Imaging Camera System, (Forward Looking Infra-Red Camera) with marine monitor, has been fitted to the Vancouver Police 33-foot patrol vessel “R.G.McBeath VC,” courtesy of funds provided by the Vancouver Police Foundation and the Department itself.

The system has four times the resolution and twice the range of earlier models, and incorporates a separate low-light camera. Both cameras in the system have 360-degree coverage on a horizontal plane, and 90-degrees on a vertical plane. The camera and monitor are operated from within the vessel, and give the vessel crews a night-time and restricted visibility capability that they did not previously have.

As the only full-time Marine Unit in the Lower Mainland, the Thermal Imaging unit allows the VPD Marine Unit to be more effective and pro-active in crime prevention, community policing, and security patrols, within the large maritime and foreshore environments. Safer and earlier resolution of suicide incidents on city bridges, as well as enhanced navigation with search and rescue capabilities, are other advantages the FLIR M-626L gives the VPD Marine Unit.

The system has already aided the Marine Unit in several of these types of incidents since its installation, and continues to be a valuable asset in the ever-expanding marine policing role.

Our Mission

The Vancouver Police Foundation promotes alternative funding to inspire innovative community partnerships with the Vancouver Police Department. These partnerships enhance public safety, foster professional development and fund unique neighbourhood initiatives to help make Vancouver the safest major city in Canada.

Contact

Valerie MacLean
Executive Director
Vancouver Police Foundation
t: (604) 717- 3700
e: vmaclean@vancouverpolicefoundation.org

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• 02-Nov-2009: Valerie MacLean comments on the VPF’s membership drive in Metro News (pdf)
• 19-Oct-2009: Russ Byth interviews Valerie MacLean - News1130 (mp3)

The recent recession has left the city suffering from massive budget deficits and facing tax increases to ease the shortfalls. City departments including the VPD are being asked to tighten their belts and make do with less.

These are challenging financial times for the community and it is time for a new sense of volunteerism and generous giving to those things we support.  Community leadership is needed in this opportunity to actively support the VPD in their efforts to serve and protect. Our men and women in the VPD deserve that support.

For over 33 years, the Vancouver Police Foundation has been quietly assisting members of the Vancouver Police Department to fund a wide range of community policing and outreach programs not covered by the annual operating budget of the department. The Foundation was created by a small group of concerned citizens and business people who recognized the need to fund innovative ideas that could help reduce crime or put a more human side to the face of policing.

“The City can’t do it all; this is an opportunity for the community to contribute to a safer city,” says Valerie MacLean, newly appointed Executive Director of the Vancouver Police Foundation. Valerie is delighted to be leading the Foundation’s new membership initiative.

The VPF has funded programs like the Odd Squad, the Armoured Rescue Vehicle, the K9 (Police Dog) Centre for Excellence, community crime prevention centres and an underwater infrared camera. Now, due to an unprecedented rise in public interest and demand for safer communities, the Foundation is “opening its doors” to donations from the public and corporations.

Our Mission

The Vancouver Police Foundation promotes alternative funding to inspire innovative community partnerships with the Vancouver Police Department. These partnerships enhance public safety, foster professional development and fund unique neighbourhood initiatives to help make Vancouver the safest major city in Canada.

Contact

Valerie MacLean
Executive Director
Vancouver Police Foundation
t: (604) 717- 3700
e: vmaclean@vancouverpolicefoundation.org

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