OPP PROMISE MORE POLICE PRESENCE IN PETERBOROUGH COUNTY COMMUNITIES

Police visibility will be a major issue in 2004, says Peterborough
County OPP Inspector Bill Flindall, who recently presented copies of
the detachment's 2004 business plan to local police services boards.

In his introduction to the plan, the detachment commander said local
police service boards, municipal councils and community policing
committees have set police visibility and traffic enforcement as
priorities in 2004. Inspector Flindall said the Peterborough
detachment began its focus on foot and directed patrol activities last
year, increasing foot patrols to 1,804 hours and directed patrols to
1,672. In contrast, in 2001 police put in 325 hours of foot patrol and
591 hours of directed patrols. The detachment has also more than
doubled its municipal marine patrol since 2001, going from 267 hours
to 581 hours in 2003. Radar patrols also increased, from 2,038 in
2001, to 2,499 in 2003. "There have been significant efforts made,
particularly with foot patrols, and the numbers reflect that," said
Inspector Flindall.

Last year the Peterborough County OPP detachment also formed a
15-member auxiliary unit and expanded its already successful DARE drug
education program into all schools throughout the county, including
the high schools. The DARE program is first introduced to students in
Grade 6 with a view to providing them with the "skills, self
confidence and support to make good choices involving drugs and
violent behaviour." The program is taught by the detachment's youth
services officers, who will also introduce street proofing programs
and an anti-bullying program to Grade 6 students.

Police are hopeful the programs will provide youth with the chance to
interact positively with police officers while helping to reduce the
number of drug-related and violent incidents involving young people.
In addition, the OPP want to provide a safe and positive environment
for Peterborough area children and increase their awareness of the
impact bullying has on its victims. The anti-bullying program is
designed to reduce the number of bullying incidents in schools, while
reducing the vulnerability of kids to predators.

Youth officers will also work with business owners to develop
recommendations and plans designed to "make their businesses less
desirable for youths to target and congregate around." It is hoped
this will help reduce incidents of loitering and mischief involving
young people at area businesses.

Youth officers are also involved with putting in place Halloween
street proofing programs and internet safety discussions that will
make students aware of the potential dangers involved with using the
internet, particularly chat rooms where predators often prey on the
young. In 2004 the youth officers will continue their community
safety-safe schools initiative by maintaining a strong presence in
schools and at youth events throughout the county, including dances.
They will meet regularly with principals and vice-principals,
implement dedicated youth foot patrols during school vacations and
teach programs in high schools.

The Peterborough County OPP have made commitments in 2004 to deal with
high priority problems in each of the eight municipalities covered by
the detachment. In Asphodel-Norwood Township police will focus on road
safety and traffic enforcement, waterway and trail safety, community
safety and community policing. Police hope to increase community
safety by reducing loitering and mischief and by focussing on
education programs for youth. The detachment will also enhance
community policing by establishing more contacts with local
businesses. In Havelock-Belmont-Methuen road safety and traffic
enforcement are a high priority, followed by waterway and trail safety
and the enhancing of community safety through efforts to reduce
loitering and mischief through working with youth in local schools.

At a time when local municipal councils are protesting increases in
the cost of police services, Peterborough County OPP are pointing to
the results of a 2003 policing for results survey of county residents
which show "a high level of satisfaction" with local police services.
Area residents also show "a high level of awareness" of the programs
delivered by the OPP, Inspector Flindall said. The local survey
reflects the results of a national opinion poll indicating citizens
are most satisfied with the OPP. The results of the poll show that 77
per cent of Ontario residents are happy with the performance of the
OPP. Nationally, 69 per cent of Canadians are satisfied with the
delivery of police services.

"Our policing for results survey will continue to be an invaluable
tool and resource assisting our police services boards and us in
determining policing objectives and their priority in all our
communities," said Inspector Flindall.