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<ubùuue4 . 117 ïtmïm «Mr o 1 1 o y » i a n Vw # U Vv' l' Mr <> Wednesday, June 17, 1998 Of Tfs ittU COMMUNITY CALENDAR • LIFESTYLES • SPORTS • COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENCE • TV LISTINGS FRIENDLY OFFICER - Staff Sgt. Don Arscott of the Durham Regional Police chats with two youngsters in a village in Bosnia, a couple of kilometres away from the town where he stayed during his six-month tour of duty.. Arscott noted he always tried to show kids that "Canadian Police Officers are friendly." CHRISTMAS AWAY - Christmas away frbm home was hard for all the officers from Canada. Arscott and friends Paul Dunford with the OPP and Chris Beamish of the RCMP take time to open cards and letters from students in Edmonton, Alberta. Bosnia Police Lack Essential Equipment by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer It was an excursion to the Oshawa Centre during a trip home from Bosnia that made a Durham Regional Police ' Officer appreciate the "order, planning and cleanliness" of grams there as there are here. We were trying to teach them the importance of working with people and solving problems problems before problems happen," happen," he said. V - '-S The police in the town where he was stationed, like Canada. . „ many across the republic, are Courtice resident Staff Sgt. p 00r iy equipped, he said. Don Arscott spent six months He noted that he came upon m Konjic, Bosnia, wheie he a traffic stopping incident at j'iJ pi (Jnj' WnPrP fha Not only is monitored how local police officers officers were making the transition from a state-run operation to a democratic society. society. He also spent some time as a Human Rights Investigator. In Bosnia, there are 10 police officers to every 1,000 people. He noted, here, there equipment lacking, some officers have to wait a while before they get . a uniform officers didn't have any reflective vests or cones or other equipment to use. "All they had was a small 'stop' sign and they were wearing dark clothing," he said. He explained that not only is equipment lacking, but some officers have to wait a while NO PLACE LIKE HOME -, Staff Sgt. Don Arscott examines one of the apartment buildings in Konjic which was shelled. Even though there arc many apartments that have been heavily damaged, there are still people living in the undisturbed apartments. Some even have TV dishes hanging on the side of the building to improve reception. saw is one officer to every 1,000 before they get a uniform people. "They almost outnumber us 10 to seven," Arscott stated. However, the type of policing policing is more reactive than proactive. proactive. "The police are not involved with the communities. communities. There are no safety pro- "One officer worked, four to five months before he got a uniform," Arscott said. Even then, "they don't have a standard standard uniform." To help out, Arscott was able to get 10 reflective vests Continued on page 3 SUPER HIGHWAY -- This is what a super highway in Bosnia looks like. "The M17 highway is the best in the area," Staff Sgt. Don Arscott said.,To travel from one place to another, you have to allow extra time because "the roads run around mountains, up and down." Arscott noted "you take the time it would take you to travel from 'A' to 'B' here and then multiple it by three." SNIPERS' HUNKER - There are many areas where hunkers arc hidden in the hills. Snipers from all three ethnic groups use the hunkers, Arscott said, TRICKY TRAILS - This is the normal condition of the roads in Bosnia. The roads hug the hills and mountains, Ho said if you meet another vehicle along the road, one of the two drivers will have to back up for 800 to 1,000 feet to find a place to pass. "Sometimes you pass with only three inches between the two vehicles, and very little space on either side,"