Predator Ridge Community Safety
Raising Our Community Awareness through Prevention/Mitigation and Preparedness
On February 23rd and 25th, the PRCEMC team hosted a webinar on Community Safety at Predator Ridge. If you were unable to attend any of those webinar sessions, we have posted a recording of the Feb 25th session on our YouTube channel.
Give the video a view and stay up to date on community safety and other initiatives happening in and around the Predator Ridge Community.
Community Safety
is our number one priority
Dear Neighbour,
Looking in the rear-view mirror, 2020 will be a year forever rooted in all our memories. It was a year that fundamentally challenged how we think about our health, our safety and our future.
We have endured an unbelievable year of challenges, but we have also witnessed a time of positive opportunities and change. The pandemic has shown us that working together, we can achieve great things. Our community, our country and the world have all come together to find ways to fight back against COVID-19.
We are especially proud of how our own community has come together to help support and protect one another. Here at Predator Ridge, we are fortunate to have an amazing group of volunteers that participate in the FireSmart and Block Watch programs and the Commonage Road Improvement Committee (CRIC) that continues to pursue major improvements to Commonage Road. This year, in the spirit of the holidays, we also saw both the community and Predator Ridge come together to participate in one of the best displays of Christmas lights ever.
We are also grateful to Predator Ridge, for their swift action in adapting new policies, procedures and thorough communications over this past year. They went above and beyond, creating new activities to help keep us safe, healthy and connected. From online music nights, virtual wine tastings, fitness classes and cooking classes, ploughed trails, a skating rink, golf simulators and the amazing holiday fireworks, we can’t say thank you enough!
With the winter season now upon us, many of us turn our thoughts to the beauty and fun of skating on natural ice on local ponds and lakes. Many factors can affect ice thickness including: type of water, location and the time of year. Why not take a moment to refresh your knowledge of ice safety by visiting this Red Cross website for some excellent information before you venture out on the ice.
This year with so many of us out walking on the roadways with family, friends and our pets it is important to be safe and visible. Please keep in mind that we are not always visible to oncoming traffic especially at dawn, dusk and at night. Wearing some form of reflective clothing or headlamps is one way to stay VISABLE. With the fluctuating temperatures, the road and pathways can be very icy and slippery. Wearing cleats is an excellent way to prevent an unexpected and possibly dangerous fall.
This year there have been several coyote sightings in and around our neighbourhoods. We remind our residents that we live in nature’s back yard. Contact with wildlife can occur and we need to be aware of how to respond. For more information on keeping wildlife wild and communities safe, visit the Wild Safe BC site of the BC Conservation Foundation.
During the next few months, it is important for us to think about being prepared for emergencies such as snow and or ice storms that could result in either road closures or power outages. We need to be prepared to be isolated for a period of 48 to 72 hours. Click the following link to preparedness at the Prepared BC website.
Our neighbourhoods have been made safer with the help of community Volunteer Block Watch Captains. We are one of the most organized Block Watch areas in the interior and have received many accolades for it. Visit our Community Safety website to discover more about what Block Watch is doing in our community: Block Watch.
We will continue to monitor the winter road maintenance and the challenges we have experienced with ACCIONA Infrastructure and Maintenance (AIM). In late December we received a response to the Letter of Concern CRIC sent to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures Deputy Minister. + View the letter from MoTI Deputy Minister.
Citizen involvement is the cornerstone of the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program and here at Predator Ridge, we have no lack of involvement from our residents. Our community has been on the forefront of earning recognition as a FireSmart Neighbourhood and 2020 has been no exception. On October 17th, neighbours turned out in full force to clean-up a portion of the Birdie Lake Trail. In addition, throughout the entire year, many residents worked towards making our community that much more FireSmart by cleaning up their own private properties. To learn more about the FireSmart program here at Predator Ridge, visit the website at FireSmart.
We continue to work with the City of Vernon and provincial authorities to provide information that is essential to our community well being. To view this information please visit Community Safety at Predator Ridge.
We trust that in spite of the many challenges in 2020, we have much to be grateful for in our community. We wish our entire community the absolute best in 2021.
Sincerely,
Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC)
Jim Popowich
Colleen Scott
Jane Toppozini
Gord Wilson
Kathy Pedersen
Luiz Araujo
Questions or concerns? Please visit: PRCEMC.ca/CRIC or email us at commonageroadproject@gmail.com
We would also like to remind you, that at any time if you think the road is not being properly maintained please call Acciona Infrastructure Maintenance (ACCIONA) at: 1-866-222-4204
Thank you,
The Commonage Road Improvement Committee (CRIC)
Jane Toppozini, Gord Ball, Morgan Grant, Sandy Thompson
Be sure to check out the latest news on Commonage Road Developments. Click here to read all the very latest news and reports concerning our road network from the Commonage Road Improvement Committee. Updated December 2020.
Be sure to check out the latest news on Commonage Road Developments. Click here to read all the very latest news and reports concerning our road network from the Commonage Road Improvement Committee.
Dear Neighbours;
BC Phase 3 Restart
As BC begins to loosen the COVID 19 restrictions and thankfully moves us all into Phase 3, we still need to be vigilant about managing our personal bubbles and space. Please review the link below outlining Phase 3 and the recommendations Dr. Bonnie Henry has laid out for us all. PRCEMC would like to thank all our residents for their diligence and support in keeping our community safe and helping BC flatten the curve.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/phase-3
Emergency Management
This year’s BC wildfires have thus far been reduced by the cooler weather, leaving our current fire rating as low. However, that rating could change quickly once we move into warmer summer temperatures. Due to our location we need to be mindful of the wildfire status in our area and surrounding areas. Take the time now to review the “Resident Emergency Handbook”, and make sure you have your plan and evacuation kit(s) updated and ready.
https://prcemc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/PRCEMC-Resident-Emergency-Handbook-Update-May-19.pdf
FireSmart
This cooler weather is also the perfect time to continue the good work that all of us have been doing to FireSmart our properties. We have already had over 22 residents who have cleaned their own properties and/or replaced bark mulch with rocks – some spending 15-25 hours and others 30-40+ hours. We are so lucky to have so many residents committed to the FireSmart Program and making our community safer.If you would like a member of the FireSmart Committee to visit your property or provide you with some feedback and tips on how to FireSmart your property please contact: https://prcemc.ca/contact-firesmart/
To report a wildfire or irresponsible wildfire risk behaviour call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cell phone.
Block Watch is a program of neighbours helping neighbours. They make a commitment to watch out for each other’s homes, and report suspicious activities to the police and to each other.
Block Watch
In the Predator Ridge Community, we have 20 Block Watch neighbourhoods each with its own co-captains. The co-captains (42 in all) fall under the direction of the Predator Ridge Block Watch Organization and report to the City of Vernon Protective Services Division – Regan Borisenko. With the opening up of travel and the possibility of increased tourism within BC, we may start to see an increase in activity within our community. Be diligent, be aware, and report anything suspicious. The Non-Emergency Police line is: 250-545-7171.
https://prcemc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Block-Watch-Map-sm-01.jpg
Commonage Road Improvement Committee (CRIC)
The Commonage Road Improvement Committee is continuing to work on the improvements to Commonage and Bailey Roads. We are hoping to see the additional white lines painted on the road shoulders, as well as an increase in delineators installed on select corners this year.
Please note the speed limit on Commonage and Bailey Roads is 60km/h. Friends and family cyclists are out enjoying the summer, please remember to share the road, slow down, and allow for everyone to have safe passage.
Commonage Road-BCHydro Pole Replacement Project Update
This project is scheduled to replace 150 poles along this corridor and had expected to be completed by late summer; however, due to COVID-19 challenges, the project completion date has been rescheduled to early December 2020.
The BCHydro Community Relations Department has advised us that there will be no further blips or outages due to this project for the next month or so. When the blips resume they will be 20 sec to 1 minute in duration, once in the morning and once in early evening. We have asked for advanced notice as to when the cutovers and blips will resume. BCHydro will be issuing a project update notice in the next few weeks.
If you think that your computer or any household appliances have been damaged due to the numerous power interruptions you can submit a claim to BCHydro. The email address for claims for damaged equipment due to outages: bchydro.claims@bchydro.com
BCHydro website for outage updates: www.bchydro.com Outage Inquiries: 1888-769-3766
BEAR Wise
As we move into the summer months and are hiking and walking the trails, be aware that bears are now fully out of hibernation and foraging the area for food. To avoid confrontations with bears or drawing them further into the community follow the bear wise information. Limit bird feeders, safely store garbage, and don’t leave pet food outside. Be aware of your surroundings, hike in groups, talk, make noise, and carry a safety whistle. Please review this excellent educational post from the BC Conservation Foundation on Bears.
https://wildsafebc.com/black-bear/
A new brochure Who’s Who: Know your Bears is now available and highlights the differences and similarities between Black Bears and Grizzly Bears. Take the quiz and see if YOU know your bears!
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and-ecosystems/conservation-officer-service/whoswhobears.pdf
Golf Cart Safety
For everyone’s safety we remind residents of Predator Ridge’s request that all golf cart drivers access and use the paths that are provided. Please try and avoid using the larger main roadways with heavier traffic such as Predator Ridge Drive, Birdie Lake Drive etc. Please be mindful of pedestrians, pets and cyclists, all of whom have the right of way. http://homeowners.predatorridge.com/golf-cart-usage-at-predator-ridge/
Using the connector paths within the community help reduce the use of the streets and roadways.
Home Owner Intranet Site
Our Homeowner Intranet Site has undergone some major upgrades over the past few months. The site has many new categories with useful information regarding our community and surrounding area and is especially useful for newcomers to Predator Ridge. If you do not have an account or have lost your username and password please email: predatorridge@predatorridge.com
If you have suggestions or feedback for the continued success of the site please forward them to pridgecommunity@gmail.com
Sincerely
Your Predator Ridge Community Emergency Management Committee (PRCEMC)
Jim Popowich
Jane Toppozini
Colleen Scott
Gord Wilson
Kathy Pedersen
Luiz Araujo
The Commonage Road Improvement Committee (CRIC) is pursuing the comprehensive improvements of Commonage and Bailey Roads through to the Predator Ridge traffic circle.
In order to make the next major steps in road improvements, we believe a Letter of Support, endorsed by as many users of this road as possible will give CRIC additional leverage when dealing with the various agencies.
In light of this, CRIC is seeking your help in the form of a Letter of Support. We are seeking support and endorsement from all users including Predator Ridge residents, employees of Predator Ridge and Sparkling Hill, contractors, service providers, and the many non-resident recreational users of Predator Ridge.
In order to obtain your support we are utilizing an electronic tool called Survey Monkey. The Letter of Support is short and to the point and only takes a few moments to read and endorse.
Our intent is to utilize the Letter of Support and all of the endorsements in our discussions with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as various government officials. It is our hope that a strong showing of support will provide impetus for further road improvements.
PLEASE NOTE: Please feel free to FORWARD this page to additional household members or Predator Ridge residents so that everyone is included and we get as much support as possible!
Please click the BUTTON below to view the Letter of Support and endorsement:
Thank you for your time and continued support.
Regards,
The Commonage Road Committee
Jane Toppozini
Gord Ball
Morgan Grant
Kathy Coverly
Email: CRIC@prcemc.ca
