A new Block Watch is being finalized for the Nob Hill area, encompassing the Hecate St. area. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Block Watch

Motivated neighbours launching Nanaimo’s latest Block Watch

Mar 12, 2026 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — Informal efforts to improve community safety are being ratchetted up for those living in a neighbourhood near Nanaimo’s downtown.

Led by a pair of local longtime community-driven residents, Nob Hill Block Watch is poised to join the increasingly popular movement.

Laura Sawchyn initiated the process.

“We’ve had lots of connections with some of the bylaw officers over the years, with derelict properties and stuff. It’s good to have a multi-disciplinary team to make the neighbourhood the best it can be,” Sawchyn told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Two local residents initiated efforts to start the Nob Hill Block Watch. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Block Watch

Motivated neighbours launching Nanaimo's latest Block Watch

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A Feb. 25 police raid at 614 Milton St. resulted in police clearing out the property with several people inside and indications of drug trafficking; however no charges are being pursued, according to Nanaimo RCMP.

In the summer of 2020, squatters were booted from a drug-infested home at nearby 560 Milton St., owned by an outmatched out-of-town landlord.

Sawchyn and Natalie Cunliffe recently went door-knocking to hear views on local safety and thoughts about forming a Block Watch in the Hecate St. area.

“It has been interesting getting to know all of the neighbours. Everybody seems to be really positive and likes getting to know their neighbours,” Sawchyn told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Cunliffe, Nob Hill Block Watch co-captain, said neighbours have always looked out for one another, but said there have been requests for a Block Watch.

Cunliffe was surprised to see so many people responded to her and Sawchyn’s canvassing efforts.

She said it was helpful to make progressive connections with neighbours and hear their various safety concerns.

“I think that it just grows from our core group of community members in a small three block radius to now having more of the community aware, which is obviously going to make better use of the community resources and communication on our Block Watch.”

The Nanaimo-area Block Watch program is a partnership between Nanaimo RCMP, City of Nanaimo and invested local citizens.

“They need that community involvement to help make things happen,” Cunliffe said in reference to aiding police and the City.

A Nob Hill Block Watch planning meeting takes place on Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. at the Zen Revolution yoga studio at 156 Victoria Rd.

“We’re going to have more eyes on the neighbourhood and the eyes are going to be watching for these kinds of illegal activities,” Cunliffe concluded.

Following concerns from local residents, Nanaimo RCMP addressed a problematic property at 614 Milton St. in late February. (Image Credit: Nanaimo RCMP)

Block Watch history/how it works

Local Neighbourhood Block Watch groups have grown in popularity within Nanaimo RCMP’s jurisdiction, with active groups spanning between Lantzville and Yellow Point.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien, who assists in coordinating the program, said over 170 active Nanaimo-area block watches are in place involving nearly 17,000 people, and almost 6,000 homes.

In comparison, a 2017 profile by NanaimoNewsNOW showed 52 Block Watch participants in effect at that time, with about 5,200 participants.

Cst. O’Brien said a demonstrated desire from residents needs to be established to start a Block Watch, which he said quickly leads to enhanced lines of communication among neighbours, which in turn assists Nanaimo RCMP and the City.

“We know statistically, once a Block Watch is set up crime will be reduced by upwards of 50 per cent, that’s really significant,” O’Brien said.

Sunday’s meeting is a final planning exercise to outline the expectations for the pending Nob Hill Block Watch, O’Brien noted.

“We’ll let them know what Block Watch is, why it works, how crime happens, what they’re targeting, how to protect your home, how to protect your neighbours — it’s a wonderful opportunity to have that engagement with your neighbourhood.”

O’Brien said many Nanaimo area Block Watch chapters exist where crime is not a concern among local residents.

“Often there is no crime and they want to keep it that way and sometimes that’s why block watches get set up as well.”

More information on Nanaimo’s Block Watch program is available here.

‘Block Watch’ signs are slated to be installed shortly in the Nob Hill Park area. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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