BACK TO SCHOOL FOR POLICE, TOO

Marijuana Use, Assaults, Graffiti And Driving Offences.

These are the hot-button issues Coquitlam RCMP's school liaison
officers (SLOs) face as they head back to school this month to patrol
local secondaries and their feeder schools.

The six-member team, headed up by Cpl. Doug Francis, has several
crime-reduction goals this year, like curfew checks and identifying
youth in problem areas.

But it's also focusing on having higher visibility and creating
strong rapport with students and staff.

The officers will be giving presentations to classes on topics such
as drugs, and drinking and driving. They will also be taking part in
meetings with teachers and Parent Advisory Councils, and joining
extracurricular activities, such as graduation events.

Yesterday, the Tri-City News caught up with the officers and asked
them how they see their role over the next year.

* Const. Raymond Scott

Pinetree and Gleneagle secondaries

Scott said he feels fortunate to patrol two good high schools:
Gleneagle is bold on the sports field while Pinetree is strong
academically. But graffiti remains a concern. "If we can put a dent
in that, we would be very happy," he said. Scott's target this year
is to build relationships with the students, especially those at the
middle school level.

* Cpl. Doug Francis

Pinetree and Gleneagle secondaries

Francis is in charge of the direction of the School Liaison Unit at
Coquitlam RCMP. Though maintaining a presence is key, Francis said
the team also tries to keep on top of new trends, like threatening
emails. He said the unit also has good ties with the Fraser-Burrard
Community Justice Society, which puts youth face to face with his/her
victim and the case doesn't go through the courts.

* Const. Louis Delisle

Centennial secondary

A lack of understanding between cultures can be a problem for
Centennial students, Delisle said. "It's a very diverse school and
there can be assaults arising from this," he said. "We try to educate
the kids that are coming in about some of the issues and be proactive
about them, to show them the positive side." Drugs and graffiti also
remain challenges at the school.

* Const. Blair Innes

Dr. Charles Best secondary

Students at Best tend to be at a higher economic advantage than
others in the school district, Innes said. The school does well in
sports, academics and drama, but marijuana and ecstasy use and
driving offences are key issues for Innes (once, he saw several kids
pile into a vehicle with an 'N' plate). His goal "is to get to know
the kids better," he said.

* Const. Jamie Rae

Terry Fox secondary

Rae was assigned to Riverside secondary, on PoCo's southside, for the
last two months of the past academic year. While he was on bike
patrol this summer, Riverside students remembered his face. He plans
to galvanize his new relationships the same way at Terry Fox, located
on the city's northside. "There's a lot of competitiveness between
the two schools," Rae said.

* Const. Katrin Madsen

Riverside secondary

Madsen previously worked with Coquitlam RCMP's marijuana enforcement
team and plans to put her skills to use as an SLO. "I think marijuana
is a major problem today in schools," she said. She said kids
carrying around concealed weapons may also be a problem.