Should Surrey, BC Try Something Like Project Jog On?
By Tina Winterlik (Zipolita)
I recently came across a story that caught my attention. At first, I thought it was happening right here in Surrey, BC. It turns out it was actually Surrey, England.
The program was called "Project Jog On." Police officers dressed as joggers and exercised in areas where women had reported being harassed. According to reports, the operation led to multiple arrests for a variety of offences.
Whether you agree with the approach or not, it raises an interesting question:
Should communities like Surrey, BC consider similar programs?
Many women have stories about being followed, catcalled, threatened, or made to feel uncomfortable while walking, jogging, waiting for transit, or simply going about their day. Some incidents may seem minor to one person but can feel frightening or intimidating to another.
The challenge is finding solutions that make people feel safer while also making the best use of public resources.
Would undercover operations help?
Would more visible patrols work better?
What about improved lighting, safer transit stops, community watch programs, or public education campaigns?
There are no easy answers.
What interests me most is not the policing strategy itself, but the larger conversation about public spaces.
Who feels safe using them?
Who doesn't?
And what can we do as a community to make everyone feel more welcome?
As someone who enjoys walking around neighbourhoods, visiting parks, painting outdoors, and talking with people from all walks of life, I think these conversations matter. Public spaces belong to all of us.
Perhaps instead of immediately arguing for or against a specific solution, we should start by listening to people's experiences.
Have you ever felt unsafe while walking or exercising outdoors?
Have you witnessed harassment?
What changes would make you feel safer?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Because building stronger communities starts with having honest conversations.
What do you think, Surrey?
Reflective Questions
- What makes a public space feel safe to you?
- Have you ever changed your routine because you felt unsafe?
- What role should police play in preventing harassment?
- Are there community-based solutions that could help?
- How can cities make parks and pathways safer?
- What is the balance between safety and privacy?
- Should more resources go toward prevention or enforcement?
- How can people report incidents more easily?
- What responsibilities do bystanders have?
- What would an ideal safe community look like?
#SurreyBC #CommunitySafety #PublicSpaces #Neighbourhoods #WalkingTogether #SafeCommunities #PublicDiscussion #CivicEngagement #MetroVancouver #ZipolitaWrites
