Teresa Dempsey

Teresa is a longtime resident of Port Coquitlam and has been a dedicated member of Community Policing for many years, volunteering for several of their initiatives and definitely worthy of receiving this award! One of those initiatives is Foot Patrol. We are the eyes and ears of the RCMP and the City of PoCo when we’re out and about in our community. Ever since appropriate COVID protocols and safety procedures were put in place last year, Teresa has been volunteering on the Foot Patrol team that I lead. During our shifts, we usually patrol the Port Coquitlam HotSpot crime areas identified by the RCMP and/or areas requested by City Council. Teresa participates with our Foot Patrols no matter what the weather, and regularly has a story or two to keep us entertained along the way. It can be snowing or rain-storming but she is always willing to brave the elements and get out there! We have had many folks thank us for patrolling our City, especially when it’s inclement weather. Along our route, she watches for people needing assistance, or for those doing criminal or unsafe things, and for missing and wanted persons. We check licence plates for stolen vehicles; we record and clean graffiti; she conscientiously picks up unsafe articles like drugs and needles, and garbage. We connect directly with the RCMP for any issues that need prompt attention; and with PoCo Bylaws and Public Works for issues that the City assists us with, like potential fall hazards from missing grates around sidewalk trees, or mattresses/large trash dumped onto City property, etc.