“Every shift, we meet new people and learn something new. I’m always proud that I can contribute my time to keep our community safe and stay connected with our community members.”

Ethan Jang started volunteering with the Port Coquitlam Community Police Station’s Bike Patrol program in August 2017. At the time, Ethan was a Grade 11 student at Terry Fox Secondary School, and while many of his friends and peers were pursuing paid work, he decided he wanted to do something unique and meaningful for the community. When he saw a recruitment ad for Bike Patrol in the Tri-City News, Ethan, an avid mountain biker, applied immediately. What he didn’t know was how much more he was going to do and give back to the community.

Ethan started his exploration of volunteering by participating in Bike Patrol every weekend. As a Bike Patrol volunteer, Ethan acts as part of a group of 2-4 volunteers that patrol local crime hotspots, helping to keep local police and community partners aware of current issues and engaging the community around crime prevention topics. As he started to build connections with other Community Police volunteers and learn more about other programs, he expanded to working with both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam programs. Over the past three and a half years, he’s extended his reach by supporting and patrolling events such as Canada Day, May Day, Remembrance Day and the Terry Fox Run, leading at a week-long youth camp (Junior Mountie Police Academy), getting involved in community engagement at Public Works Day, participating in the “Polar Bear Plunge” fundraiser for Special Olympics, working with transit police dogs, portraying the RCMP Mascot and so much more.

Ethan recalls many experiences and memorable events that occurred during his shifts, including when he had Councillor Darrell Penner join his patrol shift. Ethan really enjoyed showing him around the Community Police Station, demonstrating what Community Policing volunteers do in the community and hearing how much he loves our community here in Port Coquitlam.

Ethan has received the Coquitlam RCMP 2018 OIC Award, and was nominated for the 2020 Community Safety & Crime Prevention Awards (Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General) and the 2020 Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Award in the U21 category.

The City of Port Coquitlam’s Community Policing Department thanks Ethan for making a positive impact in the community!