“When an officer receives a missing persons report, they’re able to get that information to Realtors that are working in the local area so that we have more eyes and ears on the street.
Cpl. Janelle Shoihet, RCMP
What is Realty Watch?
Realty Watch is a community crime prevention program of over 17,000 Realtors, serving the police as extra eyes within their communities. The Realty Watch program operates across the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada, from Whistler to Hope and every community in between. Realty Watch is a partner agency of Amber Alert.
The program is operated by Realtor volunteers and staff from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, and the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board.
Pamela’s story
In 1994, in White Rock, BC, a teenage girl went missing. Her name was Pamela Cameron.
Her father contacted his Realtor to enlist help during their desperate search. He pointed out that Realtors would be an excellent resource to help search for missing persons because they all carried pagers and could be alerted quickly, and because they were out in their communities meeting clients and showing properties.
Unfortunately, Pamela’s life was tragically taken. And Realty Watch was born. Watch the video for the full story.
Criteria and activation
(police only)
Realty Watch fan-outs are for immediate emergencies. They’re requested by police within hours of someone being reported lost or missing.
1. Police confirm the information meets program criteria
- Person(s) who are lost, missing or abducted that were reported within the last 72 hours.
- Vehicle(s) of persons of interest that are considered suspicious and may be involved in a crime.
2. Police request a fan-out by contacting Realty Watch with emergency information
Option 1: Phone 1.877.532.6688. If you’re calling after business hours, leave a message and it will be reviewed the next business day.
Option 2: Send an email with full details to fanout@realtywatch.net.
- If the criteria are met, a simultaneous text message is sent to Realtors in the communities of Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, or Chilliwack.
3. Realtors participate by
- Responding to the activated fan-out by watching for the missing person(s) or suspicious vehicle(s).
- Reporting directly to police any suspicious activity they may see relating to the fan-out request.
June 2000
FVREB expands Realty Watch program
The FVREB expands Realty Watch to include a direct Realtor fan-out. Upon police request during business hours, over 1,500 Realtors [...]
March 2000
FOUND: Fan-out for 11 year old is successful
Langley RCMP activate a fan-out for a runaway 11-year old boy. A Realtor, in the middle of an open house, [...]
October 1998
FVREB receives crime prevention and community safety award
Fraser Valley Realtors receive a Crime Prevention and Community Safety Award from BC’s Ministry of Attorney General for demonstrating “commitment, [...]
April 1995
CREA launches Realty Watch as a neighbourhood program
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) launch Realty Watch as a neighbourhood watch program, similar to Block Watch. The Fraser [...]
May 1994
Realty Watch is born
It was in 1994, in White Rock, BC, when an innocent life was taken. A teenager, Pamela Cameron, was walking [...]
1.877.532.6688 | fanout@realtywatch.net
Fraser Valley
Real Estate Board
communications@fvreb.bc.ca
604.930.7600
Abbotsford, Langley, Mission, North Delta, Surrey, White Rock
Real Estate Board of
Greater Vancouver
Fiona Youatt
Program Coordinator
604.730.3068
Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pemberton, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, South Delta, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver, West Vancouver, Whistler
Chilliwack & District
Real Estate Board
Steve Lerigny
Executive Officer
604.792.0912
Agassiz, Boston Bar, Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Yarrow