Realtywatch
Realty Watch is a community crime prevention program run throughout Vancouver Island. The program operates in partnership with local police departments and the RCMP. VIREB REALTORS® use their cell phones, pagers and community mobility as a resource to assist police in time-critical situations involving lost or abducted people. It is a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week service.
Police contact the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and request a fan-out. A fan-out is the distribution of information regarding a missing person, abduction, or life-threatening situation. It is circulated to VIREB REALTORS® using the VIREB text-messaging system. REALTORS® are then able to act as extra eyes and ears, and call 911 if they see or hear anything that could help police with the case.
Through Realty Watch, over 900 REALTORS® throughout the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board region can be mobilized within 30 minutes. Realty Watch is a partner agency of Amber Alert.
