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More and more police forces are looking for community-based solu- tions to the challenges of modern policing. Those forces feel their role goes beyond simply enforcing the law. Non-enforcement tasks like public education; community develop- ment and crisis intervention are extremely important to the quality of life in a community. There are developing and imple- menting programs that are designed to be more responsive not only to crime, but to the fear of crime and, more broadly, to a wide range of issues that affect commu- nity life. In order to reduce fear of crime and deter crime, police forces are developing new methods to demonstrate their presence in the community. The idea is to break down the psychological barriers created by squad cars and make officers more accessible and more visible in their relationships with citizens. To do this, officers are getting out of cruisers and doing more patrol on foot and creating more Opportunities to meet with people. They are spending more time educating people on how to avoid becoming victims of crime. Through programs like Neighborhood Watch and Block Parents, they are enlisting the eyes and ears of citizens to report suspi- cious circumstances. And they are developing opera- tional policies that see officers per- _ Manently assigned to certain areas in an effort to develop greater familiarity. with community needs and problems. Such officers may work out of mini-stations or storefronts, they may even be encouraged to go door-to-door to get to know resi- dents and business people better. Limits on fiscal resources facing most segments of society are affecting police too, and they are looking at new ways of responding to the increasing number of calls for service. The traditional doctrine of rapid response to all calls has been questioned by studies which show Page 9, News, Wednesday, May 18, 1988 Police acknowledging need to get back to the basics not all calls require immediate attention or the dispatch of an offi- cer to.the scene. Why? Because in most cases the victims call the police at least 45 minutes after the crime has occurred or been discovered. As a result, police are experi- menting with selective responses in non-emergency situations. In fact, some Ontario forces expect they will eventually handle 30% of their calls in alternative ways. Some will be dealt with by tele- phone; some will be handled in person at the station; some by by- law enforcement officers; some by appointment. At the same time, police and government agencies are devoting more and more energy to non- enforcement programs to assist the victims of crime cope with their personal traumas. The goal of all these communi- ty-based programs is to foster a partnership between the police and the public that serves their mutual interest in security and protection. The public has a crucial role in the business of policing and com- munity-based programs are designed to let the people play their part. They can influence the develop- ment of policies and strategies and, when appropriate, participate actively in carrying out programs. Don't cop out...celebrate Police Week! Police 'building bridges' to groups The population of Ontario is changing and the composition of the province's police forces is changing to match. Police forces are working hard to recruit officers from under-repre- sented groups. They are training officers to provide culturally responsive services. And they are busy building more bridges to Ontario's many ethnic and racial groups. All of these steps are seen as high priorities by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Changing with the times is noth- ing new to the law enforcement profession, Most of its leaders have always believed that the best police forces are those that reflect the community and its needs. Thinking like that was behind the police community's request for a major conference on cross-cultur- al policing and it helped convince Solicitor General Joan Smith to fund the conference. "It is my sincere belief that police forces in Ontario are among the finest in the world," said Mrs. Smith. "But it is also true that as our society grows and changes, we must ensure that our police keep pace with the times." . She said the fact that the impe- tus for the conference came from the police helps show how fully they realize that Ontario's changing population has profound implica- tions for them. The $117,000 conference, which will be held this fall at the Ontario Police College, in Aylmer, is just one example of the changing face of law enforcement in Ontario. People like Staff Sergeant Syd Young are also helping the law enforcement community address the same issues. Staff Sergeant Young is a veter- an police officer who helped the Metropolitan Police build their highly-regarded employment equi- ty recruiting program. Because multicultural policing is one of the Solicitor General's top priorities, he has been seconded to the Ministry to help forces around Ontario develop programs that will meet similar needs in other com- "munities. More than 200 delegates repre- senting ethnic and minority groups, police forces, police governing bodies and provincial and federal governments are expected to attend. Attention Teenaged Athletes (it's me from page 6) How does a chance to beat the best in this town sound? So what if you can't swim... your partner can. Watch for 824-3336 CHIROPRACTOR Nor-Shore Chiropractor-Clinic MOUNTAIN VIEW PLAZA SCHREIBER WEDNESDAY 1:00 to 8:00 pm or SPORTSWORLD 824-2506 "triathlon" next week. Wedding Annopnvement Mr. & Mrs. Don Neilon and Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Fischer are pleased to announce the engagement of their children; Deborah Ann to John Leonard The wedding will take place June 11, 1988 IOB OPPORTUNITY Clerk/Secretary Required 5 days per week, afternoons only. Job.will include some typing, filing, general office duties. Send application to: TERRACE BAY INSURANCE LTD. P.O. BOX 820, SIMCOE PLAZA TERRACE BAY, ONTARIO POT. 2W0 UNITED gs UAHITED nye, UNITED EE Division of Bay ----. City Moving ' and Storage Call THUNDER BAY 1-800-465-3955 Pit Run Gravel Granular "A" Screened Sand 3/4" Stone 1-1/2" Stone for Septic Fields SERVING THE NORTH SHORE BR AVE ' pie one i nt. §} ESROSIERS & SONLTD. "Soe sag GENERAL CONTRACTORS Crushed Aggregates EARLY REGISTRATION FOR FALL / WINTER *%, Lakehead University = Excellence in Education COURSES TERRACE BAY / SCHREIBER DATE: Wednesday, May 25th TIME: 6:00 p.m. PLACE: St. Martin's School REQUESTS FOR 1988 SUMMER COURSES WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING FREE TUITION FOR 60 PLUS SENIOR CITIZENS Senior citizens 60 years or over may enroll in credit courses for free tuition. All courses are subject to minimum enrollment and availability of instructor. For further information, please contact our Office Campus Representative in your area: MRS. BARBARA SPADONI 824-2761 (HOME)