Walking home at night can be a scary feeling during the fall season. It gets darker faster, colder with occasional wet and slippery leaves on the ground. There have been reports of suspicious men following women around the Mount Pleasant area.

In an effort to create a safer community, a small group of Mount Pleasant friends has decided to implement a program to keep individuals safe. The program is called The Mount Pleasant Safe Walk, it is supported by volunteers to assist with ensuring people’s safety when walking home. On their Instagram profile, they opened the application last week and closed it the following weekend. They plan on launching the program today.

The Mount Pleasant Walk Program states that all volunteers have gone through an extensive vetting process,

• Google Application Form
• Verification of Instagram
• Video / Zoom Interview
• Reference Check 
  • At Least One Work
• Consistent Check –
  • Ins and Walk with Organizers

As stated on their social media page that each walk will have two volunteers, to ensure the safety for volunteers and the individual being walked home. Currently, there are no police checks because they “don’t feel that the current police/legal system is just and equitable for everyone.” However, they are exploring new ways to make this program as safe as possible. They are also open to feedback and any suggestions. 

One woman explains that she was walking on Main street and 5th avenue when a silver vehicle approached her and asked her to make a phone call for him. This is one of many incidents that have happened.

This is not the first program to be established, for downtown Vancouver has also created a safe walk service. It’s important to stay safe and alert. If safety is a concern when walking home around the mount pleasant area or the vicinity of it, do not hesitate to contact them.