For 33 years, Bruno Bersani has been the face of the New Westminster Police Department’s volunteer program. He joined the department at a time when the city was facing a spike in street crime. The police department was in need of volunteers to keep an eye out for criminal activity on Friday and Saturday nights when officers were swamped with calls.
Bersani and a partner, another volunteer, would patrol the streets of New Westminster at night, keeping watch over the city. He also conducted home security checks within the community and has run speed watch initiatives.
Today, Bersani, who was a cabinet maker before he retired, spends most of his time at community events, greeting residents and kids. On the weekdays, he can be found at the detachment building toy patrol cars to hand out at events.
The Record dropped by the office early one morning to speak with Bersani about his time as a volunteer for the police department. The interview was first thing in the morning because he was scheduled to take part in a ride-along right after – as you’ll read below, this 88-year-old has no intention of slowing down just yet.
How did you first get started with the New Westminster Police Department?
Well, there was a seminar going down at the Canada Games Pool community centre, so I went down to see and listen, and the police chief was talking and he said the crime in New Westminster was increasing and the police department cannot do it alone, we need help. And that sparked the flame.
So what did you do first?
First of all we had to fill out the form and be cleared by the police. At that time, we didn’t have any training so the first time we went out, it was just a briefing by the police officer in charge.
What did he ask you to do?
Watch for BNEs (break-and-enters), I remember that, and I said, ‘What the hell is a BNE?’
So you were on patrol?
Yeah. We were going around New Westminster in two per car, and every shift we were three or four cars out.
Of just volunteers?
Yeah. Sometimes there’d be five.
So you were out at night?
Yeah at night from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock in the morning.
What was it like?
We’d just look around to see if anything had happened and then, if there was, we’d call the police. … We had to report so many things in the beginning and as the time went on, it was becoming less and less. And at the end, a few years ago when I still was going out, we could go out and see nothing all night. Were we becoming blind, I don’t know? (He laughed.)
How did you know what to look for?
Anything. People breaking into buildings, people trying to break in; … anything that looks suspicious.
Had you wanted to be a police officer?
No. I never thought about being a police officer, but when (I) started, then I said, if I could I would be a police officer, but I guess it wasn’t the case.
What else did you do as a volunteer?
Well, then came up the speed watch, so I was doing that, and home security checks, I was doing that too.
Would an officer go with you?
No. It was done by two volunteers.
What was speed watch like?
We were in certain locations and we’d put up a board that recorded the speed and we marked it down on the paper, but we were not allowed to do anything or signal people to slow down or whatever.
So you just watched?
Just watched. … Sometimes we’ll have educational signs like ‘leave the phone alone,’ things like that.
What were the home security checks like?
Once a house was broken in by some thieves or whatever, then two volunteers went to the family, to the place and told them what to do to secure the house or apartment.
What were common things you’d see during the checks?
Sometimes the window was left open or doors without a proper lock.
What do you for the police department now?
I am building cars.
The little toy cars?
Haha yeah, or anything that needs to be done in the station – they call me.
Why do you keep volunteering?
Until I can do it, why not? It’s a motivation to get out and do things, otherwise I’d probably be at home watching TV. In fact, when I come down here, they say, ‘Thank you Bruno for coming,’ and I say, ‘Thank you for having me.’
So you’ll keep volunteering as long as the department will have you?
Yeah, yeah.
Note: When the Record wrapped up its interview with Bruno, he headed out for a ride-along.
So, you’ve gone on ride-alongs before? Tell me about one.
The second time was absolutely scary. We were in the car, and they called us to go to what would be next to Seventh Avenue where there is the school Herbert Spencer.
Well, the street behind that, we were called to a house where they caught two people trying to break-in, and I remember that was Qualia (Const. Peter Qualia), and we went down Sixth Avenue turned left in front of the school and then left on the other street, and he went so fast I really was scared, … and then we went to the house that we were called, and they told me, ‘You stay in the car, don’t get out.’ So they handcuffed two (suspects) and then they brought them to jail.
Are you hoping that this morning’s ride-along is that exciting?
I don’t think so. Unless I am safe in the car.
What does the crime prevention coordinator have to say about Bruno?
Shelley Cole, crime prevention services coordinator, the arm within the New Westminster Police Department that oversees volunteers, has worked with Bruno Bersani for 16 years.She credits the department’s longest serving volunteer with helping police connect with the community. She even said he had a hand in showing her the ropes when she first joined the department.
The Record asked Cole about Bersani; here’s what she had to say:
“He’s very much part of the community. We wish we had two of him or three of him. He’s definitely just an icon here, and we very much appreciate it. … We take every opportunity we can to thank him and make sure he knows how much we appreciate having him. … Bruno is part of our family; everybody knows Bruno. … He’s just a very special, special person to us here.”
