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THE HERALD OUTLOOK Saturday September 1990 Page Community constables involve public in p The Herald Halton Regional Police Depart ment is opening up the big blue wall to include the public in preventative policing Georgetown North Georgetown South and Acton each have four community constables who are working to make policing in Hills a cooperative team effort between officers and the communi ty GOOD RAPPORT Constable Gregg Davidson who has worked as a community officer in Acton for about six months said he has developed a good rapport with the community including street kids To Const Davidson good com munication involves winning the publics trust He encourages those who are apt to cross troubles path to approach him with the problem before acting If someone gets mad he or she can come talk to me before he beats someone said Const Davidson His aim is to decrease assaults by giving people an outlet to discuss problems before they act out The beat of a community officer also involves walking the streets You get to know the people he said Foot patrol seems more pro ductive because an officer just doesnt go from call to call Const Davidson said The job feels more positive than it used to he said Now I have a lot more contacts Its like opening the doors for the community to get involved Const Davidson said They will help out instead of hinder The consultation advisory com mittee which meets every two to three months is seen as a vehicle for both police and the public to solve problems Its a way to sort of help them to help themselves said Const Davidson There are generally committee members who advise the police on what they see as a prominent problem in their community he said If Const Davidson theyve got a problem with people drinking on the corner they can see that some kind of program is set up PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED Sergeant Joe Taylor who overseas community policing in Georgetown North also maintains that involving the public makes an officers job easier and more pro ductive Its easier for them to identify community concerns and address those concerns said Sgt Taylor Weve always done things that we thought the com munity wanted He believes the public advisory committees are better able to identify problems in their own neighborhoods such as speeding and can relate these pro blems to the police who will per form more radar checks The police consultation commit tees are made up of represen tatives from all sectors of society including seniors housewives small businessmen and high school students said Sgt Taylor We try to get representatives from as many areas as we can he said explaining that input from Sgt Taylor each area can only improve polic ing CITIZENS CAN HELP Citizens can also help in in stances where the police have no authority Sgt Taylor said In a location where parking disturbs residents the citizens can petition the Town of Hills to establish new parking bylaws Then he said the police can en force those new bylaws Community officers are working to find a way to change police of ficers negative image We do more things than give out tickets said Sgt Taylor Referring to com munity policing as caring policing he said barriers must come down between police and the public in order to work as a team Becoming acquainted with young adults at times not involving speeding tickets or stereo theft will help to break down negative perceptions of the police explained Sgt Taylor Sgt Taylor said he participated in a program which brought the police into Burlington high schools for designated periods to make of ficers available to discuss pro- ml t WA a Const Brassard Const Const Hrcak Const Riddle or answer questions He in sists it is an effective way to gain the trust of young adults and hopes a similar program will follow in Halton Hills MEET THE PEOPLE Leaving the patrol car behind to walk the streets is an effective way to meet the people and to help peo ple realize that the force is human too Sgt Taylor said This method of getting ac quainted with the community is referred to as stop lock walk and talk he added Officers are en couraged to do this on a regular basis downtown or at malls or just where they see people Sgt Taylor said Teamwork between police and the public is one of the best ways to reduce crime Sgt Taylor said If an officer observes a garage door open when no one is home he will leave a card and a note cautioning residents the open door creates a potential crime he said Acton Village Constable Bill Rid dle who also works with the Acton community police said it is impor tant for the public to get to know its officers and foot patrol plays an important role You dont get to know your police officers seeing them drive by in a car said Con st Riddle FUTURE CRIME PREVENTION Const Riddle said community contacts become friendships and he believes those relationships may even prevent future crimes If I have a friend I wouldnt want Const Oleson to disappoint that friend he said If a police officer sees someone who is heading for a bad time that officer will be able to say why dont you just go home Const Riddle said Constable Andy Olesen has been a community officer for about nine months in Georgetown South and believes police officers are more approachable when on foot patrol Although he is ft in Const Olesen said people seem to be more comfortable talking to him when he is not in his patrol car DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE Foot patrol presents a totally dif ferent atmosphere because an of ficer has the opportunity to talk to people and observe things without having to concentrate on driving said Const Olesen He believes the public finds an officer in a patrol car intimidating We all look the same driving in cars he said On foot they will get to know us a little better and know our names and our faces Shortstaffing during the busy summer months has made it dif ficult to stay on foot patrol for more than 10 minutes said Const because without fail he is asked to respond to a call He regrets there isnt enough time to perform foot patrols often because he enjoys the exercise and talking to the public when there is no conflict However Const hopes the summers pace will slow down make more time available for community policing SHOPPING SPREE VALUE STORE SAVE NOW SPECIAL PURCHASE COLOR TV 34800 20 COLOR RMOTE TV 28 COLOR REMOTE TV 64800 DELUXE VCR ON SCREEN 33800 DELUXE STEREO VCR ON SCREEN 38800 Miff tele SALES and SERVICE GUARANTEED SERVICE WITH ALL SALES 14 STREET Const Barnett Const Collins Const Coates