The South Peace District Crime Prevention Association is hosting an all-day community safety symposium on April 24, 2026, at Co-op Mercer Hall in Dawson Creek. The event aims to connect residents with local safety initiatives and volunteer-driven crime reduction programs as the community continues to address evolving crime trends.
The South Peace District Crime Prevention Association, a registered non-profit society founded in the mid-1990s, serves as an umbrella group for several regional programs, including Citizens on Patrol, Rural Crime Watch, and Speed Watch. The symposium will feature guest speakers from the B.C. Conservation Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the B.C. Crime Prevention Association. These speakers will discuss local safety strategies and ways for the public to get involved.
Organizers say the event is an opportunity for residents to learn more about how volunteer efforts can support police work. Historically, these programs have proven effective in the region; for example, the first Rural Crime Watch, formed in 1992, saw a 42 percent reduction in rural crime in the Tomslake area during its first year. Currently, the association also holds a non-voting membership in the Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association.
The focus on community safety comes as Dawson Creek, a city of approximately 12,000 people, manages changing crime statistics. While overall crime has trended downward since a peak in 2023, reports of theft from vehicles rose by 68 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. In response, local authorities have emphasized proactive policing and strengthened partnerships with community groups to maintain public safety.
The symposium will be held at Co-op Mercer Hall, located within the Ovintiv Events Centre at 300 Highway 2.
