(VOICEONLINE) — Premier Christy Clark, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Sarah McLachlan joined the Chief of Police Jim Chu and the Vancouver Police Foundation on Tuesday night to raise money for essential policing services and community outreach programs.
Highlights included McLachlan joining the legendary Vancouver Police Pipe Band in a performance to mark its 100th anniversary. McLachlan was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Pipe Band; the first female honorary member of the band.
The Night Patrol Gala sold out weeks in advance, with a guest list that included the city’s most philanthropic and illustrious personalities, including Peter Brown, Ryan Beedie, Kyle Washington, Frank Giustra and Harald Ludwig. More than 1,200 guests were treated to an experiential Vancouver Police Night Patrol experience.
Chief of Police Jim Chu said, “By bringing together the many individuals and businesses to support Vancouver Police Department’s policing and community outreach programs, the Foundation is building safer communities and helping to provide our officers the resources they need to further improve their outreach to our citizens.”
The evening was co-chaired by Peter and Joanne Brown, and Ryan and Cindy Beedie and raised over $2,330,000 including $892,000 in support of the new VPD Cadet Program. Both, the provincial and municipal governments contributed $180,000 each toward the program.
“We recognize the need for the public and private sector to partner with the police in providing this very necessary funding at a time when government budgets are under stress”, said VPF Chairman Peter Brown. “From innovation to community engagement, the Vancouver Police Department is consistently among the most innovative police services in Canada”, said Clark. “This pilot program is an example of both. We’re delighted to support it.”
VPD Cadet Program“As a community, it is important that we work together to ensure that our children receive the support they need and deserve,” said Robertson. “The new VPD cadet program is an important community partnership that will make a significant difference in our community by ensuring that children and at-risk youth are introduced to positive role models and leadership opportunities.”
Chu said, “By selecting cadets from Vancouver’s culturally diverse and First Nations communities, we will build a large and highly qualified pool of people that is reflective of the community we police.”
“As a community, it is important that we work together to ensure that our children receive the support they need and deserve”