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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, July 9, 2015 | 20 Pan Am security akin to high-profile criminal investigations by Rachael Williams Metroland West Media With thousands expected in Ontario for the Pan Am/Parapan Games 2015 July 10-26, preparing a localized security strategy for Halton has been an experience like no other, said Det. Sgt. Brad Cook, Halton's security lead planner for the Games. "You think you've seen everything, done everything, and then you get something like this," Cook told a crowd at the Milton Sports Centre during a Pan Am information session in the spring. Cook, a member of the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) who served on the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit and with Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services, said in scope, Pan Am security detail is comparable to high-profile criminal investigations. "What's different is the preparation and the planning," he told the crowd. The Games will see more than 10,000 athletes and officials from 41 countries and territories participate in 51 sports. There are 31 Games competition venues, 13 non-competition venues and 15 training sites spread across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, from Welland to Oshawa G1, G2 DRIVING SCHOOL 1260 Speers Road, Unit #9, Oakville, L6L 5T9 (Between Third & Fourth Line) STOP! LOOk nO furTher! Do you wish to enroll in a driving school that is caring, provides thorough training and affordable? $ Four Day Course 9:00 am ­ 2:15 pm July 13 14 15 16 / 20 21 22 23 / 27 28 29 30 Aug 4 5 6 7 / 10 11 12 13/ 24 25 26 27 Saturday/Sunday 9:00 am ­ 2:15 pm Jul 18 19 25 26 & Aug 8 9 15 16 Join Us Bring a Friend and save $25 For this Summer! $ Beginner Driver 100 Education Course OFF Regular Cost That Is Affordable Wi th No Compromises wit h Training! 499 $ 00 + HST 59900 905-484-3435 g1g2oakvilledrivingschool@gmail.com www.g1-g2.com · Ministry of Transportation approved Beginner Driver Education course provider. · New vehicle and new in-class learning facility. and from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. "We want to provide a safe spot for everyone to go. Everyone in the community will be impacted by the Pan Am Games. Our job is to make sure everyone is safe," said Cook. The OPP has formed and leads an Integrated Security Unit (ISU) for the Games that will include several major security partners. The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is one of 10 police services that make up the ISU, along with Durham, Hamilton, Niagara, Peel, South Simcoe, Toronto, York, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police. Sgt. Peter Leon, provincial media relations co-ordinator for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), said in an interview with the Oakville Beaver that when it comes to planning for an event of this magnitude, the OPP has reached out to police organizations, like the RCMP and others that have experience with similar-sized events, for example, the Vancouver Olympics. "And the police service of jurisdiction for each of the Games venues will be responsible for security planning in their jurisdiction and will maintain operational command and control during all events," said Leon. The HRPS will be responsible for providing safety and security around the Halton venues, which includes the Mattamy National Cycling Centre (Cisco Milton Pan Am / Parapan Am Velodrome) in Milton and Burlington's City View Park, a soccer practice venue. Halton Regional Police Staff Sgt. Brad Cook discusses security for the Pan Am Games. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) The security threat level for the Games echoes the national threshold, which is set by the RCMP . According to Leon, in the wake of the Oct. 22, 2014 shooting on Parliament Hill that killed Hamilton's Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, the national risk remains at medium level. see Security on p.21 Get there this holiday season. Get the best hand-picked holiday travel deals on vacations, flights, hotels, and more ­ just for Canadians! Only at