Toronto Police Service 2014 Toronto Caribbean Carnival Kick Off

Man charged in Voyeurism investigation, Ian Campbell, 61

Toronto Police Service News Release

Man charged in Voyeurism investigation, Ian Campbell, 61

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 - 10:10 AM
51 Division:  416-808-5100

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of a Voyeurism investigation.

It is alleged that:

- within the last week, two people had been invited to stay at the home of a friend while he was out of town

- during their visit, they noticed a number of hidden cameras placed around the apartment

- they became concerned and called police

It is further alleged that:

- photographs and videos were taken of people who stayed in the apartment

- photographs and videos were taken in the washroom and other rooms

On Thursday, July 10, 2014, officers executed a warrant in the George Street and The Esplanade area. Ian Campbell, 61, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

1) four counts of Voyeurism

He appeared in court at College Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, 10 a.m., room 501.

Police believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online atwww.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.


For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.



Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Michael Richmond, 51 Division

Hardcourt Role Models

By Sara Faruqi, Toronto Police Service Published: 4:10 p.m. July 14, 2014

Curtis Crane, a player from the Esplanade Youth Movement, hugs a player from the Toronto Police team after the game.

Youth from the Esplanade and officers from 51 Division played a friendly game of basketball at the Esplanade Basketball Court on July 13, 2014.

Player Scott Sheppard
from the Toronto Police
team tries to pass the ball.

The purpose of the event was to bridge the gap between the youth in the neighbourhood and the police, according to the event organizer Deborah Crane.

Crane had seen her son go through some challenges with police and decided to step up as a mother and community member and gather strong role models for the young people in her community. She felt youth in her neighbourhood needed officers they could trust and a community basketball game was just the way to make that introduction.

The relationship between police and youth can be difficult on both sides, according to Constable Crispin Barnes.

“Using sports to get in touch with the community is the best way (to get to know each other),” said Barnes, who was introduced to many young people from the area through last year’s tournament.

While the boys played a good game, they were defeated 42-35, by the police team.

O'Neil Watson, from the Toronto Police
team,  takes a free throw at the 5 on 5
Basketball Tournament at the
Esplanade basketball court on July 13.

According to Barnes, who refereed the game, members from both teams have played competitively so spectators got to watch the best of the best.

With some good music and even better food by volunteers from the Esplanade Youth Movement, many community members from the neighbourhood came down to watch the game.

“I think it is a great initiative and something for youth to aspire to,” said Roxanne, a local resident.

Givon Luxmore, 21, who lives in the neighbourhood and took part in the game, thought it was a good way to show the younger generation that they can have a good relationship with police.

“The older generation, we don’t have a problem with the police. It’s the younger generation,” he said, adding that it was for them (the older boys) to interact with officers and show the younger teens that “they (police) were friendly guys too.”

For Crane, this interaction through sports has worked, her son, Curtis, has now found a strong role model in Barnes, she said.

SOURCE

Toronto police team member O'Neil Watson faces off a young opponent.

Family story time starts July 12

Keep your kids busy all summer long, and build a lifetime love of reading in the Park!

Friends of Berczy Park and Toronto Public Library, St Lawrence Branch, invite families to children’s storybook reading with Dulce the librarian:

-Sat. July 12 at 10:00am;

-Wed. July 30 at 1:00pm;

-Sat. Aug 23 at 10:00am* *With special Teddy Bear Picnic afterward.

Enjoy these free events in the northeast corner of Berczy Park (Scott & Wellington St, behind the Flatiron Bldg).

Parents: BYO Blanket, to get comfy in the grass.

UNVEILING OF THE ESPLANADE NEW BASKETBALL COURT MURAL!

Saturday July 19th, 2pm at The Esplanade & Berkeley St - rain date July 20th

Sixteen youth, under the artistic leadership of Elisa (Shalak Attack) Monreal and Julian Periquet, have created a new mural for The Esplanade basketball court (David Crombie Park). On July 19th, Esplanadians and Torontonians will discover this new mural; a celebration accompanied with live music, dance, and a photo exhibit opening.

This project is produced by Jamii and CORPUS, in partnership with the St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre and the ESP Community Group, and is supported by the City of Toronto's StreetArt program, ProAction Cops & Kids, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

www.jamiiesplanade.org

"No Hot Pets" event

Toronto Police Service News Release

Media advisory, Wednesday, July 9, 2014, noon to 2 p.m., Scarborough Town Centre, "No Hot Pets" event

Wednesday, July 9, 2014 - 5:00 AM
43 Division:  416-808-4300

The Toronto Police Service, 43 Division, and the Ontario SPCA, in partnership with the Scarborough Town Centre, will be handing out literature and window stickers alerting motorists to the dangers of leaving their pets in hot vehicles. The event will take place in the parking lot of the Scarborough Town Centre on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, from noon to 2 p.m.

Each year, the Toronto Police Service and the Ontario SPCA receive hundreds of calls for pets who have been left unattended in vehicles. The Toronto Police Service and Ontario SPCA would like to remind citizens that a dog's normal body temperature is 39 degrees Celsius and that a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius can be withstood for only a short time before irreparable brain damage or death can occur.

Anyone seeing pets left unattended in vehicles should call 310-SPCA or the non-emergency police phone number at 416-808-2222, while anyone seeing pets in distress in a vehicle should phone 310-SPCA or 911. Citizens who see similar behaviour or other incidents of concern on Scarborough Town Centre property can also contact the Town Centre's 24-hour security line at 416-296-4777.

Interested members of the media are asked to meet at 11:30 a.m., at the Scarborough Town Centre security office, located on the lower level of the mall at entrance number 7.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Constable Paul Rowe, 43 Division

The Roger Fisher Negotiation Training Scholarship

[Cannot see this email? Click here for web version] The Roger Fisher Negotiation Training Scholarship 2014 Information Sheet and Application Form The Roger Fisher Negotiation Training Scholarship was created as part of the lasting legacy of The Roger Fisher Tribute held in Toronto in 2007. One Scholarship, donated by the Stitt Feld Handy Group, is awarded annually to a qualified recipient who otherwise would not be able to receive negotiation training. The Tribute honoured the late Roger Fisher. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award to acknowledge his tremendous and far-reaching contributions in the field of dispute resolution. Twenty-six organizations from around the world, under the leadership of the ADR Institute of Canada, The Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Bar Association and The Law Society of Upper Canada (“Lead Organizations”), joined together to pay tribute to Roger Fisher.  Allan J. Stitt, President of the Stitt Feld Handy Group, describes Professor Fisher and the Become a Powerful Negotiator Workshop as follows:             “Roger Fisher is an inspiring man. Not only has he made major contributions             over many years to the resolution of some of the most intractable disputes in             the world, his teachings and the teachings of those who worked with him have             changed the approach to negotiation, and to mediation, of people around the world.             Our Become a Powerful Negotiator Workshop is based on Roger's theories.             Course participants are asked to read Getting To Yes, the famous book on             negotiation outlining the approach to negotiation developed by Roger Fisher             and William Ury, before the course starts. The course is Canadianized but is             true to Roger’s ideas and concepts about effective negotiating. It includes             three days of in-person training and one day of online learning. It's             skills-building, practical and hands-on.”  The Scholarship entitles the recipient a place in the Become a Powerful Negotiator Workshop held in Toronto. Scholarship recipients are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and other expenses. The course must be taken within 12 months of the award of the Scholarship. For further information about the Workshop and the Stitt Feld Handy Group see: http://www.sfhgroup.com   Eligibility             The Scholarship is available to a resident of Ontario who: (1)  would not otherwise be able to obtain negotiation training; (2)  has demonstrated an interest in negotiation skills and dispute resolution; (3)  would benefit the community at-large, and/or public interest, community, or pro bono organization(s) or company(ies) with which the person is involved, by the person strengthening his or her negotiation and dispute resolution skills, thereby leveraging the value of the training beyond the Scholarship recipient, and               (4) would benefit personally from negotiation training.              Selection of Scholarship Recipient The Roger Fisher Negotiation Training Scholarship Committee (“Scholarship Committee”) solicits applications for the Scholarship each year, and selects the recipient, applying the four Eligibility criteria outlined above, in its sole discretion. The Scholarship is administered by the Lead Organizations. The Committee is comprised of representatives of the Lead Organizations, the Ontario Community Mediation Coalition, and other leaders in the ADR field.   Applications In completing the attached Application Form, applicants should include an outline of their background and experience in Section A and explain the ways in which they satisfy each of the four Eligibility criteria, outlined above, in Section B. Previous applicants, who were not selected, are encouraged to reapply, with updated materials. Applicants should include one or more supporting letters, if possible, from (a) the organization(s) or company(ies) with which the applicant is involved (as referred to in the third Eligibility criteria) and (b) others who are in a position to support the applicant’s statement about how he or she satisfies each of the four Eligibility criteria. The letters supporting the Application should be listed in Section C of the Application Form. Applications (together with all supporting letters) must be received by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on Friday, August 29, 2014.  They can be e-mailed, faxed, delivered or mailed. E-mail:  admin@adrcanada.ca  Please include in the Subject line:            “Application for The Roger Fisher Negotiation Training Scholarship”            (Remember to attach the Application Form and supporting letters, if any.) Fax:     416-487-4429 (Be sure to include a fax cover page.)             Mailing/Delivery Address:   The Roger Fisher Negotiation Training Scholarship   c/o ADR Institute of Canada, Inc.   405 – 234 Eglinton Avenue East   Toronto, Ontario   M4P 1K5 Candidates may be invited, in the discretion of the Committee, for a telephone or an in-person interview.  The person selected to receive the Scholarship will be notified and all applicants will be informed of the outcome. Click here to download the application form.  Canada’s Premiere Source for Gold Standard Arbitrators and Mediators Première source d'arbitres et de médiateurs possédant la norme Or au Canada 405 - 234 Eglinton Avenue East Toronto, ON, Canada, M4P 1K5 416-487-4733 • 1-877-475-4353 fax/télécopieur:  416-487-4429      @ADRCanada

City of Toronto reminds residents to prepare for severe storms on anniversary of July 8, 2013 flooding in Toronto

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

======================================

News Release:  July 8, 2014 

City of Toronto reminds residents to prepare for severe storms on anniversary of July 8, 2013 flooding in Toronto

Today marks one year since the July 8 storm, an extreme summer storm that produced record-level rainfall and caused significant flooding and damage across the city. The City of Toronto reminds residents and businesses to prepare for major storms to help reduce the damage that severe rain and flooding may cause on private properties.

"Toronto was hit hard after the July 8 storm, and many people's homes and businesses were damaged because of flooding," said Mayor Rob Ford. "Since the storm, the City has invested in infrastructure improvements and expanded many programs to help Toronto be more prepared for severe weather."

"The anniversary of the July 8 storm serves as a reminder that we all need to be prepared for major storms," said Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, Chair of the Toronto's Emergency Management Program Committee (TEMPC). "It's important that residents understand what could happen during a significant weather event, and learn how they can prepare themselves and their families."

During a severe summer storm, residents may be forced to stay indoors and could experience power outages for extended periods of time. There are simple steps that you can take to help protect yourself,  your family and your property during extreme weather.

Personal preparedness

All Toronto residents should have a three-day supply of the following items on hand for each family member:

• Drinking water (keep water in containers) 

• Canned food and a manual can opener 

• Batteries for flashlights and radios 

• A first aid kit 

• Crank or battery operated radio 

• Cash

Residents are reminded to:

• Keep cell phone batteries charged

• Know the locations of all electrical panels, and water and gas shutoff valves in your home • Keep flashlights where you can find them in the dark • Keep your car gas tank full • Consider using surge protectors to protect sensitive electronic equipment.

What more can you do?

• Make sure you have adequate homeowner or tenant insurance 

• During an emergency, listen to the authorities and follow direction given 

• Check in on vulnerable residents on your street or in your neighbourhood

More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/oem.

Safety during severe rain or storms

• Try to remain indoors.

• Do not enter a flooded basement as you may be exposed to sewage or come in contact with water and electricity.

• Avoid driving, especially in low-lying areas where flooding is known to occur.

• If traffic signals are out, treat the affected intersections as a four-way stop.

Protect your property

Take precautions in advance to protect your properties from possible flooding:

• Disconnect your downspouts from the sewer system and make sure they are draining properly, ideally two meters (6.5 feet) from your basement walls.

• Be sure the grading around your home drains water away from all exterior walls. 

• Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris that may prevent proper drainage.

• Repair or replace damaged weeping tile systems.

• Rake leaves away from sewer catch basins and other outside drains.

• Do not pour grease down drains or flush food or other objects down toilets as this will block sewer connections causing sewers to back up during rain storms.

In the event of a flooded basement:

• Call 311 immediately to report basement flooding. During extreme weather conditions residents should expect high call volumes and some delays. Calls will be answered by the first available agent.

More information about basement flooding is available at http://www.toronto.ca/basementflooding.

Power Outages

• Unplug or turn off all appliances to avoid possible damage when power resumes.

• Leave a light or radio on so you will know when power is restored.

• Plug in only the most essential appliances first, and wait 10 to 15 minutes to give the electrical system time to stabilize before connecting everything else.

• After power is restored, try to limit electricity use to help relieve potential strain on the system.

• Keep your fridge and freezer doors shut as much as possible. Generally, food will keep for 24 to 48 hours, as long you keep the door closed.

More information is available at http://www.torontohydro.com.

Increased investment to reduce flooding

While Toronto Water has made significant investments in infrastructure improvements in various parts of the city, the July 8 storm highlighted the need for even more investment to help prevent flooding.

Since the storm, Toronto City Council has approved the expansion of several existing programs to help Toronto become more resilient when affected by extreme weather:

• $3.1 billion over 10 years on wastewater and stormwater collection systems. This includes $962 million for the Basement Flooding Protection Program. In addition, Council approved a city-wide, multi-year program to examine the causes of basement flooding and implement upgrades.

• Increase to the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program to a maximum of $3,400 (from $3,200) to qualified homeowners for the installation of basement flooding mitigation devices (backwater valves and sump pumps). The budget for this subsidy program has grown from $500,000 in 2010 to $11 million in 2014.

• Increased public education efforts to help property owners learn how to protect their homes from flooding.

As well, in the six months prior to the July 8 storm, Toronto Building had issued 514 permits for backwater valves and following the storm, an additional 4,354 permits were issued in 2013.

Toronto City Council will be also be considering two staff reports at its July meeting relating to severe weather and how the City can better prepare: Resilient City - Preparing for a Changing Climate and the Review of the City of Toronto's Emergency Response to the December 2013 Ice Storm. If Council approves both reports, the recommendations will help the City better plan for future extreme weather events. The two reports are available at http://bitly.com/1mcPstA.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bitly.com/VFErXO.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Wynna Brown, Strategic Communications, 416-392-8937, wbrown1@toronto.ca    

"S.P.A.C.E. to Cycle" Campaign

Toronto Police Service News Release

Media advisory, "S.P.A.C.E. to Cycle" Campaign, Monday, July 7, 2014 - Sunday, July 13, 2014

Tuesday, July 8, 2014 - 9:22 AM
Traffic Services:  416-808-1900

The launch of the "S.P.A.C.E. to Cycle" campaign took place on Monday, July 7, 2014. The campaign (Safety, Prevention, Awareness, Courtesy, Education) will conclude on Sunday, July 13, 2014.

This one-week campaign is designed to promote awareness and education by reducing the potential for cycling and wheel-sport-related injuries.

The Toronto Police Service is continuing to focus its efforts on encouraging safe cycling as a practical mode of transportation in our city. Education and enforcement of cycling offences are critical to ensuring safe roadways for our communities.

Motorists should be aware of the dangers of opening car doors into the path of cyclists, and the importance of checking blind spots prior to making right turns. Officers will pay particular attention to those motorists who endanger the lives of cyclists, including vehicles driven/parked in designated bike lanes. Attention will also be paid to cyclists whose aggressive riding behaviour puts them, pedestrians and motorists at risk.

Parking Enforcement Officers will assist in this initiative by concentrating on parking offences that may compromise the safety of cyclists.

Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians have a responsibility to share the road equally by driving safely, riding responsibly, and obeying all the rules of the road.

Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services

Concert lineup announced for Live Green Toronto Festival

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

======================================

News Release:  July 7, 2014             

Concert lineup announced for Live Green Toronto Festival 

The Live Green Toronto Festival will hit the streets at Yonge and Dundas on Saturday, July 19 with an array of musical talent on two stages, a green street market with more than 100 vendors of green products and services, a kids' zone, swap zone, beer garden, buskers and more. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

New this year is a partnership with the Essencia Arts Collective, comprised of artists from across six continents. Members of the Collective will create environmentally-themed street art, and will also sing, dance and spin to entertain the crowds and raise awareness of environmental issues.

On the Main Stage (Yonge-Dundas Square)

11 a.m – Essencia Arts Collective

1 p.m. – Jaydahmann featuring Krystle Chance

1:45 p.m. – iSH

2:30 p.m. – Eh440

3:15 p.m. – Emily Reid

4 p.m. – Ascot Royals

5 p.m. – The Wheat Kings

6 p.m. – Jim Witter

7 p.m. – Maestro Fresh Wes

8 p.m. – Mia Martina

On the Community Stage (Yonge Street at Queen Street)

11:30 a.m. – eco-workshop

12:25 p.m. – Great James

1:20 p.m. – MARS

2:10 p.m. – AHI

2:50 p.m. – Abdominal & The Obliques

3:45 p.m. – Les Petits Nouveaux

4:40 p.m. – Communism

5:35 p.m. – Womyn of Indigo

Yonge Street will be closed to traffic from Dundas Street to Queen Street to accommodate the green street market.

Festival sponsors include CP24, TD, OLG, car2go, Toronto Star, Metro, Metroland Media Toronto, Steam Whistle and Eaton Chelsea Toronto.

More information, including a list of the green street market vendors, is available on the festival website at http://bitly.com/1mBudTv.

The festival is a component of Live Green Toronto, a City of Toronto program that promotes and supports the greening of Toronto. For more information, visit http:///www.livegreentoronto.ca.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bitly.com/1oBNVgh

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

- 30 -

Media contact: Valerie Cassells, Strategic Communications, 416-660-1712, vcassel@toronto.ca

Corktown Common official opening community picnic

you’re invited! Please join Waterfront Toronto and its development partners, Dundee Kilmer and Urban Capital as we celebrate the official opening of Corktown Common with a community picnic. Enjoy a free BBQ, fun food and activities, live music and all the amenities the park has to offer. Food and entertainment generously provided by Dundee Kilmer and Urban Capital. Date: Thursday, July 10, 2014 Time:  5:00pm to 8:00pm at the pavilion and central lawn. Location:  Corktown Common is located at the foot of Bayview Avenue at Lower River Street. Map:  Click here Transit:  Please see the TTC’s diversion notice for route details. The 501 Queen streetcar is diverting between Parliament Street and Coxwell Avenue. 501 Queen shuttle buses will make stops at River Street - both eastbound and westbound. Walk south on River/Lower River Street, past Lawren Harris Square. Park entrance is on the east side of Bayview Avenue. Parking:  There is very limited street parking in the area so we’re providing an accessible complimentary shuttle. Park in one of the local “P” lots, then head to the “P” lot on the south side of the Distillery District and jump on. Continuous two-way service to and from the party will be available from 4:45pm until 8:15pm. Cycling:  We’re providing complimentary Bike Valet parking. So, ride your bike, sign in, get your numbered parking tag, and go have fun. When you’re ready to leave, just present your tag to reclaim your bike. For information, contact Waterfront Toronto at 416-214-1344 ext. 276. or at info@waterfrontoronto.ca We hope you'll also join us in the morning, from 10:00am to 11:00am, for the official ribbon cutting celebration with our government partners. See the official invite! If you can’t make it out, we’ll be live tweeting all day! Use #CorktownCommonParty so you can join the conversation and track the fun all day long!

Big Neighbourhood Day Party at Underpass Park - Saturday, July 5

Celebrate Corktown!

Big Neighbourhood Day Party at Underpass Park - Saturday, July 5

everyone welcome! 

Celebrate with us: The Corktown Residents & Business Association hopes everyone in and around Corktown will join us for a big neighbourhood day party this weekend as we celebrate Corktown!

We’ve got lots of activities planned including a FREE BBQ (hot dogs & veggie dogs), live music, an appearance by TO2015′s Patchi the Porcupine, music, face painting, a basketball tournament, a bouncy castle and so much more. 

Thanks so much to MPP Glen Murray and MP Chrystia Freeland for supporting this event. And thanks also to Councillor Pam McConnell and her staff. And continued thanks to all the Corktown residents and businesses who volunteered their time to put this together.

What: Celebrate Corktown big neighbourhood party

When: Saturday, July 5, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Underpass Park (Lower River Street, South of King)

Come out and enjoy! Tell your friends!

Preventing Crime Over Summer

By Ron Fanfair, Toronto Police ServicePublished: 4:20 p.m. July 2, 2014 
Updated: 4:32 p.m. July 2, 2014

Just a few days into their new Neighbourhood TAVIS Initiative (NTI) deployment in 51 Division, officers responded to a gun call on a busy downtown thoroughfare.

Constables Charles Coffery, Trevor Howard, David Hinchcliffe, Ryan Ladurantaye and Clifford Peterson

Two women, standing the middle of the street pointing what appeared to be guns at each other, were arrested without incident.

Police later discovered they were replica guns and the women were released without charges.

Others were not so fortunate.

In the first week since the initiative started on June 16, police made 18 arrests and laid 44 charges ranging from violating bail conditions to drug offences.

Inspector Rob Johnson said the Division was selected for the three-month summer initiative based on statistics over the last five years.

“The evidence showed that there were a disproportionate number of violent crimes committed in this area over that period,” he said. “The decision was made to go with us because of the data pointing to violent crimes, including homicides, sexual assaults and robberies.”

Comprising 24 constables, four sergeants and a staff sergeant, working from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., the NTI covers Wellesley St. to Queen St. E. and Church St. to Parliament St.

All of the officers involved in the NTI are from 51 Division.

“The reason we did that is because, when this is finished in September and the guys come back to their platoons, we hope the connections they establish with the community will continue,” Johnson said. “To cover for the NTI officers, we have uniformed and non-uniformed members from 23, 54 and 12 Divisions who have taken their spots for the time they are on the special assignment.”

The NTI is a component of the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS), an intensive, violence-reduction and community-mobilization strategy intended to reduce crime and increase safety in neighbourhoods.

In addition to law enforcement, friendly interaction with the community is an essential part of the NTI.

"I would like to think we are making some good inroads. People are approaching us and sharing information. Overall, they are happy we are here and they see us in a different light."

Constable Ryan Ladurantaye said the community is extremely open to the summer initiative.

“We have been engaging them and they seem to be happy we are out here,” he said. “I would like to think we are making some good inroads. People are approaching us and sharing information. Overall, they are happy we are here and they see us in a different light. They seem to feel a little bit more comfortable opening up to us on the some of the issues and problems they are having in regards to their neighbourhood. If this continues, I think it will be a very successful summer program.”

A key component of the initiative is the use of bicycles.

“In addition to helping us navigate traffic, the bikes allow us to stop and talk to people,” Ladurantaye added. “Members of the public can wave us over or flag us down and have a chat with us. This initiative is not solely about making arrests, it’s about being visible and starting and engaging in dialogue.”

Staff Sergeant Daniel Crosby said the bikes provide officers with the flexibility to patrol the laneways in the neighbourhood.

“We have cruisers driving through the streets, but we don’t necessarily get those officers in the back lanes and alleyways,” he said. “That seems to be a quality-of-life issue for people in this Division. There are real estate owners with wonderful property, but there are issues in the back lanes with drug-dealing and even graffiti spraying and they want our guys to deal with that.”

Kevin Wailoo, who co-owns a business in the community, welcomes the NTI presence.

“We see them on their bikes coming through here on a regular basis and they come into our establishment and let us know they are here for us,” he said. “Their mere presence, I think, will deter criminals who are thinking about committing criminal acts.”

Prior to going on the road, the NTI officers took part in a three-day training program at the college.

“We also had a virtual town hall meeting where we fielded calls on the issues that are of concern to the neighbourhood,” said Cosby. “Those who were unable to get through to us sent e-mails and our officers were assigned to deal with the complaints.”

The NTI ends on September 18.

SOURCE