MORE COPS WANTED IN SCHOOLS

School Board Funds Police Programs In Local Schools

Mayerthorpe Freelancer - Northern Gateway School Division plans to
enhance policing partnerships in local schools. The School Board has
already agreed to fund programs in Onoway and Alberta Beach and hope
to expand the programs to Sangudo and Mayerthorpe.

"We feel it's important to have a positive police presence in our
schools," says Trustee Maureen Wilcox. She pointed to a number of
police directed programs such as DARE and Rock Solid that have been
beneficial to students.

"Children get to know police as people rather than authority figures,"
she says.

"We need to be proactive," added Trustee Stan Jeffreys . "We have to
build positive relationship between student and police early - rather
than students dealing with police only when they are in trouble."

Jeffreys believes these relationships will go a long way to improve
civic pride and combat crime and substance abuse problems.

Unfortunately, in recent years RCMP have toned down their activities
in schools.

"Their resources are stretched," admits Wilcox.

Northern Gateway hopes funding will give local detachments the added
manpower and resources to resume school programs.

"It has to be a community relationship," explains Jeffreys. "For the
program to work the municipality, police and schools all have to be on
board."

Education officials are planning a meeting in Sangudo to address the
initiative.