If you plan on doing any criminal activities in Pitt Meadows, know this: they'll be watching you.

Constables from the Pitt Meadows community police office are visiting Pitt Meadows businesses to introduce and encourage owners to register for the new Business Watch program.

Once the Pitt Meadows community police office receives the completed Business Watch registration form from the business, merchants will be provided with a Business Watch decal.

The decal should be displayed on each business' front door to indicate that it is located within a Business Watch area.

The Business Watch program provides a direct opportunity for the RCMP and Pitt Meadows businesses to work together to reduce crime and increase safety through prevention, sharing of information, and education.

Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters applauded the initiative.

"We all want Pitt Meadows to remain a safe community," Walters said. "The Business Watch program is a step in the right direction."

Some of the benefits include the distribution of crime prevention material and tools, individual business problem solving, and an electronic newsletter for the business community detailing recent crime and issues affecting business.

Available upon request are free training to owners and employees on safety, security, and business-related crime, and a free security assessment for Pitt Meadows businesses.

In the near future, the RCMP will have the ability to distribute crime alerts to businesses registered in the program.

Ridge Meadows RCMP are encouraging all businesses in Pitt Meadows to take an active part in the new Business Watch program.

"We cannot keep the community safe on our own," said Ridge Meadows RCMP Sput. Dave Walsh.

"Community safety is a shared responsibility,"

To learn more about the program, contact the Pitt Meadows community police office at 604-4652402.