The City’s new ‘Be Downtown’ initiative invites residents, visitors, and shoppers to enjoy Maple Ridge’s safe and vibrant downtown this summer with a variety of activities including pop-up booths starting tomorrow in Memorial Peace Park.

A collaboration between the City of Maple Ridge, Ridge Meadows RCMP and local business associations, ‘Be Downtown’ aims to improve the downtown experience and increase support for local businesses through initiatives that enhance safety, community outreach, and beautification.

“Downtown is the heart of our community, and we’re committed to ensuring it is an inviting, fun and welcoming space for everyone who lives, works, and visits here,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “This initiative is a key step forward in our ongoing efforts to create a downtown where our businesses can thrive and everyone can enjoy our great restaurants, shops, and events.”

Community Safety

Be Downtown builds on previous initiatives to address safety concerns through crime prevention, emergency response, and community outreach. In partnership with the RCMP, the City will provide a highly visible street presence downtown, support community services referrals for vulnerable clients, foster youth engagement, and advocate for health authorities to work with enforcement teams.

“The safety of residents and businesses is a priority for the Ridge Meadows RCMP, so we’re taking steps to ensure that police remain visible and accessible to businesses and residents in the downtown core,” said RCMP Superintendent Wendy Mehat. “This summer, in coordination with the City, the RCMP will host pop-up Community Safety Tents, to support local businesses and offer an opportunity to chat with police about concerns they may have.”

Key components of the Be Downtown initiative include:

Education/Prevention Efforts:

Pop-Up Community Safety Booths will serve as a platform for residents to report crimes, share concerns, and ask for public safety advice and support or information about other City services and resources.  Pop-up Booths will be present from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at:

• May 22 - South Plaza at Memorial Peace Park
• May 29 – Selkirk Ave at 222 Street
• June 5 - Brown Ave at 222 Street – Nokai Park
• June 12 – St. Anne Ave at 223 Street – Beckett Park
• June 19 – Lougheed Highway at 224 Street
   

• Increased foot patrols by uniformed bylaw and community safety officers
• Collaboration with the Fraser Health Assertive Community Treatment team to provide referrals to community services and expand street presence.
• Assistance from the RCMP's Mental Health and Community Policing team. 

• The Integrated Safety Ambassador Team (ISAT) provides various support, such as food and blanket drives for vulnerable residents and senior outreach. 
• Ridge Family Youth & Resource Support Team (FYRST) supports vulnerable youth and their families
• The RISE Initiative offers programs and services to youth ages 10 to 18 to prevent youth involvement in gun and gang activities

• A new coordinated approach will be taken by response teams to proactively identify and track vacant and nuisance properties.