Allen Barnett smiles as he leafs through the inch-thick file of newspaper clippings, letters and photographs.
The mementos – many of them yellowed from time – detail but a snippet of the White Rock senior's past two decades of lending his eyes, ears and time to help keep his community safe.
It's dedication that hasn't gone unnoticed.
Since starting his volunteering with the city's community policing office in 1998, Barnett has been recognized by the City of White Rock, the solicitor general and the BC Traffic Safety Foundation.
Last month, he was thanked for the 6,000 hours he's given – leading workshops, helping with home-security checks, watching for suspicious behaviour and identifying stolen vehicles, to name a few of the tasks he's been involved with.
But a second award presented to Barnett at the White Rock RCMP Annual Volunteer Appreciation night held April 13 was unexpected.
The Archie Miller Memorial Award is reserved for a "volunteer who touches the lives of the people, is a self-starter who is committed to crime prevention, a mentor to others and able to make strong connections with individuals," Sgt. Joel Glen, who MCed the evening, explained before announcing Barnett as the recipient.
Barnett said the award – named in honour of a friend and fellow longtime volunteer who died five years ago – "just blew me away."
Miller, he said, was "just a marvelous gentleman… a true, real, good friend." He joined the program in 2000, and spent several days a week contributing to initiatives including Speed Watch and at special events.
Miller also had a "wonderful tenor voice," one that was often heard in concert with Barnett, when he played accordion at the now-closed Slainte By the Pier.
"He was so proud of being a community policing member," said Barnett.
Listening to Barnett recall the various community policing tasks and patrols he's been involved with over the years – from helping locate a missing woman, to alerting officers to a crime in progress, to conducting home security checks and training other volunteers – it's obvious he shares that same sense of pride.
Many of his 6,000 hours were spent patrolling the city's streets at night, alerting officers to anything untoward; he's also logged countless hours helping with special events such as the sea festival and Canada Day celebrations.
And while things have changed over the years – for example, the number of volunteers has tripled since he started, from 10 to 30, and the community policing space at the Pacific Avenue detachment is no longer just "a filing cabinet, a telephone and a desk" – Barnett said he has "enjoyed every minute," including the days he put in 14 hours.
"It's really been a lot of interesting things. I've learned a lot. My eye is now trained that I can spot things that other people cannot."
Barnett arrived in Canada from Scotland in 1957. After spending a few years in agriculture – including a stint with chickens that lasted all of six months because "I couldn't stand it anymore," and a decade driving a tractor at Colony Farm – Barnett went into radio, eventually hosting what became the top-rated program on FM in the Lower Mainland.
"That was my Saturday night dance party," he recalled. "We had listeners from Seattle up to the north end of Vancouver Island."
His first taste of community policing was with the Coquitlam RCMP.
Now 81, Barnett said working with his fellow volunteers in White Rock has been "a joy and a privilege" – and something he recommends anyone who wants to give back to their community consider doing themselves.
And while he may not be front-and-centre anymore – osteoarthritis in one knee and one ankle has taken him away from many of the positions – Barnett said he's not quite ready to bid the task adieu entirely.
"I'm not pulling the plug. I'll fill in if they need me to."
"It is so rewarding to be a part of the community and do something for the community."
Contributions lauded
The contributions of many White Rock Community Policing volunteers were celebrated at the April 13 event, held at Five Restaurant on Marine Drive.
Recipients cited for hours donated were:
Allen Barnett (6,000 hours)
Ian McLean (3,000 hours)
Ahmed Mohamoud (1,500 hours)
Donna Barnes (1,000 hours)
Barb McKoen (500 hours)
Marilyn Saito, Jeff Longair, Gini Moore, Bill Nikiforuk and Jerry Zdril (200 hours)
Archie Miller Memorial Award
Allen Barnett
Frank Adam Memorial Award
Rita and Ted Macdonald
Tracy Holmes
Years of Service Awards
Ian McLean (15 years)
Bill Nikiforuk (10 years)
Mike Boyle, Barb Mckoen, Michele Pidgeon and Mike Veaudry (five years)