Ask an officer: LaSalle Police host weekly booth to engage with the community
The LaSalle Police Service recently launched a community information booth in the front lobby of the Vollmer Centre Recreation Complex. Every Monday from 9 until 10:30 a.m., residents and community members can ask a rotating duty officer questions on any topics pertaining to police matters or simply engage with them.
It is one of the initiatives of Officer Tim McInnis,according to Constable Alison Hunter, who was handing out literature at the booth in front entrance of the Malden Road FreshCo on Friday, May 16 during the Victoria Day weekend.
Police week is recognized nationally and runs from May 11-17.
'It's a part of police week, we're just letting you know if you have any questions,' said Constable Alaina Atkins, also the community resources officer, and was partnered with Hunter at the information booth. 'We also have information and contests for kids.'
Both Atkins and Hunter handed out colouring sheets and crayons along with decals, stick-on tattoos and offered Timbits to many children throughout the day - as they walked in and out of the FreshCo with their parents.
They also promoted their 'Chief for a Day' contest which was open to students from the fifth to seventh grades and attending school in LaSalle. The topic: 'If you were chief for the day, what would you do to make our community a better place?' A 500-word essay or a two to three-minute video could have been submitted by the end of May. The chief will pick the winner.
'We want the kids to be creative and identify what's important to them,' said LaSalle Chief of Police Michael Pearce, when asked about what he looked for in those essays and videos. The winner will also get to ride with the chief in the LaSalle Strawberry Festival parade in June and meet with Mayor Crystal Meloche.
There was also a Name Our Lego Officer contest for the official LaSalle Police Lego cop mascot, which is bigger than the size of a baby but smaller than a toddler. The winner received a prize pack full of swag. The unnamed Lego cop wearing a LaSalle Police vest, ballcap and should-patch badge made his debut at the LaSalle Police Service Polar Plunge for Special Olympics and will no doubt have been present at the LaSalle Police Bike Rodeo at the Events Centre and the Car Seat Clinic at the LaSalle Fire Services Station on Normandy Street.
'We are in the early stages of planning another neighbourhood community safety walk for the summer,' said Atkins. 'We aim to host events that our community is interested in and will benefit from.'
And in June, the community booth at the Vollmer will be moved to Tuesdays and on Wednesdays.
'The town told us initially that Monday was the busiest day during the week, but we had feedback from the public that they would like to see the booth on varying days,' said Atkins.
Deputy Police Chief Jason Woods added, 'In the fall depending on how it goes, we might have it at the Events Centre.'
Whether the community booth is at the Vollmer, the Events Centre or at events like police week, you can be sure there will be officers like Atkins and Hunter passing on literature such as a sheet of non-emergency phone numbers for local contacts.
'A great thing to put up on your fridge or cupboard door,' said Hunter.
So are the sticky notes with the LaSalle Police Service badge-logo. Pads of them were given away as were ballpoint pens with the LaSalle Police Service 519 969-5210 non-emergency phone number engraved on them.
'We can only answer any general questions, but they can't report it,' said Hunter, referring to the inquiries from visitors at the community information booths. 'They will have to call the police.'
The officers at the community booths like the dispatcher can only direct them to someone who can best answer your questions.
Atkins concurred another prevalent issue continues to be fraud and damage to property.
Another trending crime is impaired driving and opening unlocked car doors and stealing change during warmer months.
And the Little Black Book of Scams, a CAMVideo for property surveillance registry pamphlet, a substance and overdose measurement chart-card along with a Youth Wellness Hub of Windsor Essex flier as well as the Lock It or Lose It brochure were all made available. Bicycle safety printouts for children were available as were Mothers Against Drunk Driving key chains and red ribbons for adults.
'If we can educate the public, they are less likely to become a victim of a crime,' said Atkins.
'The red flags to look for to make your home and yourself safe.'
A sidebar for Important Local Emergency Phone Numbers
· LaSalle Police Service 519-969-5210
· LaSalle Fire Service Dispatch 519-258-4444
· Windsor Essex Central Ambulance 519-258-2155
· Enbridge Utilities 519-255-2727, after hours 519-255-7818
· Enbridge Gas 1-866-763-5427
EMERGENCIES ONLY CALL 911
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