Good Neighbour Program
Creating a caring community
Well-connected neighbourhoods are the building blocks of a vibrant and safe community. Often the most effective approaches to addressing issues such as crime and disorder are right at our doorstep—in our own neighbourhoods. Burnaby’s Good Neighbours program offers ideas and information about programs available to promote neighbourhood interaction and activities. Get involved—and help build a better Burnaby for all.
Safe Community Series
The City of Burnaby Crime Prevention Unit offers free information sessions on ways to stay safe at home and in your community. New information sessions are added every month. You’re invited to attend and learn the latest trends in crime prevention and what to look out for.
Anti-Graffiti
Preventing and removing illegal graffiti improves the liveability of our neighbourhoods. Graffiti is a nuisance activity that can give the impression that other types of crime and disorder will be tolerated, leading to feelings of decreased safety in our community.
The City has an effective anti-graffiti program that works to keep our neighbourhoods free of graffiti. You can help by reporting graffiti in your neighbourhood by submitting our online form or by calling 604-294-7388.
Block Watch
City of Burnaby Block Watch is a free program designed to improve neighbourhood resiliency, connectivity and safety. Through the Block Watch program, residents get to know and look out for one another, and report suspicious and nuisance activities to the police or appropriate City department.
Grants–to Support Neighbourhood Community Building
A number of small grant opportunities exist to encourage positive projects in your neighbourhood! They are easy to apply for and support a range of neighbourhood activities, from boulevard gardens to outside play equipment for kids.
The Vancouver Foundation is a BC-wide organization that offers grants of up to $500 to fund projects that will improve local neighbourhoods. There’ s even a specific grant program just for youth! Vancouver Foundation grants are a great way for neighbours to get together, plan and organize projects or events that will deepen neighbourhood connections and create positive change in Burnaby. To find out more and get notified of grant applications, please visit Neighbourhood Small Grants.
Through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the Block Watch Society of BC provides annual Safe Community Grants of up to $200 to Block Watch groups. The funds can be used for block parties or other events designed to encourage residents to get to know each other and engage in community safety. To find out more about the application process, please visit Block Watch Society of BC.
The Neighbourhood Youth Connections Grant Program funds youth-driven neighbourhood improvement projects. This program is intended to enhance positive connections between youth and their community. Projects are supported under the broad areas of Youth Leadership, Social Connections or Beautification. To find out more, visit Burnaby Neighbourhood House and scroll down the page to find the BNH Youth Connections Grant Program.
Bylaws
Bylaws provide the boundaries for neighbourly conduct and can be a helpful tool in supporting good relationships between residents.
All of us are responsible for having a basic awareness of the bylaws related to community behaviours. Most of the time, bylaws are broken through neighbourhood issues related to vehicle parking and stopping, animal control, noise, or problems related to unsightly properties.
Most of the time a friendly conversation between neighbours is the best way to address a neighbourhood concern. Often, a neighbour may not be aware that their behaviours are causing any concerns for others and are quite willing to fix the problem.
Please consider the parking and moving needs of vehicles throughout your neighbourhood. Encourage your guests and tenants to be mindful of this as well. Considerate parking prevents potential parking-related neighbourhood conflicts and keeps traffic moving smoothly throughout Burnaby.
Neighbourly behaviour is important for our animals too! Please pick up and dispose of poop appropriately, license your animals and work to discourage frequent barking. These simple acts can increase the liveability of our neighbourhoods, for people and pets alike.
Neighbours may have different expectations about comfortable noise levels. We can all expect relative comfort from noise in our homes, within reason. Being considerate of your neighbours for social events, house maintenance work and pet barking can prevent most common noise-related conflicts.
When a property is poorly maintained it can negatively affect the look and liveability of the entire neighbourhood. Sometimes the deterioration of a property can be temporary; the people living there may be experiencing challenges preventing them from managing the upkeep. In situations like this, sometimes a friendly conversation or offer of neighbourly assistance can be helpful. If the problem is significant, City regulations and resources can address the issue to benefit the neighbourhood.
For further information on our Burnaby Bylaws please visit bylaws or give us a call at 604-294-7944.
Home security
Neighbourhood crime prevention starts at home. Elements of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) can be easily incorporated to increase the overall security of your home. A free home security assessment by CPTED trained staff may be available. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or 604-294-7795.
Upkeep and Maintain Your Property
Proper upkeep shows that a home is inhabited, and that criminal or nuisance activity will not go un-noticed in your neighbourhood. Remove graffiti as soon as possible, ensure mail is collected and garbage/recycling are dealt with promptly. Trim trees and shrubs and ensure exterior lighting is working properly to ensure visibility around your property. Store tools and ladders in a locked shed or garage to prevent use by thieves.
Target Harden Your Home
- Equip all exterior doors with wide-angle door viewers (also known as peepholes), positioned at an accessible height for all residents of the home.
- Install dead-bolt locks with a minimum of 2.5 cm/1 inch throw on all exterior doors.
- Use 5 cm/3 inch or longer screws in hinges and strike plates.
- When selecting window protection, particularly bars, ensure windows can still be opened in case of a fire.
- Consider motion sensors on exterior lights.
If you have questions, the Crime Prevention Unit can provide additional security information. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or 604-294-7795.
Consider a Home Alarm and Surveillance System
Alarm systems, security cameras, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, doorbell cameras and other technologies can help protect you, your belongings and your home.
Many of these technologies have become more affordable, more accessible and more user-friendly in recent years. Check out a range of products and providers when considering such an installation.
Implement the 9 PM Routine
The 9 pm routine is a North America-wide crime prevention initiative, which encourages residents to routinely check the security of their homes and vehicles each night by 9 pm. Lock exterior doors and windows, move bicycles and other portable items inside, switch on exterior lights and remove valuable items from cars parked outside. While you’re out there, take a look at your neighbours’ property as well! Visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada for more tips on home and vehicle security.