eat Feature a sisi Eas Cop shop shelves brim with programs by Valorie Lennox The Review ‘There’s more at the local cop shop than cops, crooks and cells. _. There’s a whole range of ser- vices and special programs, coor- dinated by Constable Kim Hors- “man, whe was recently put in charge of community policing and victim services for the Sidney/ . North Saanich detachment. ‘Much of his job is arranging - education for the public on how to avoid committing crimes, prevent umes or deal with crimes which have occurred. ~T think it is-a-very important job. It’s through, education that were going to have any real impact on society.” The counter attack program tries: to teach students, as they are first learning to drive, not to drive while impaired. On request an RCMP officer presents a program at local secondary schools on the hazards and legal ramifications of drinking and driving. lf’s through ~ €ducation that wee going fo have any real impact on society’ Horsman also coordinates the school liaison program, which matches an RCMP officer with each local school. Programs like the Safety Bear — a uniformed bear costume usually donned by a volunteer auxiliary officer — teach traffic safety to young stu- dents. “All the little kids love the safety bear,” Horsman said. The Safety Bear, accompanied by a uniformed RCMP officer, also teaches children about bicycle safety and the Block Parent pro- gram. For older students, there are programs on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse: “We have to start educating them in grades four, five and six on drugs and alcohol,” Horsman said. Another popular event, designed to improve bicycle safety, is the annual bicycle rodeo sponsored by Petro-Canada. oe : This year’s rodeo will be held at the Panorama Leisure Centre on May 12 and is open to youngsters in grades one to six from Sidney, North Saanich and Central Saa- nich. Sidney/North Saanich RCMP and the Central Saanich police are working together on the rodeo, Horsman said. Horsman also works with Block Parent coordinators to help organ- ize the Block Parent program. There are four coordinators in the Sidney and North Saanich area. “It’s impossible to.do all this and be on shift at the same time,” Horsman said, explaining his full- time appointment as a community and victim services officer. In ‘addition to. the school and children’s programs, Horsman oversees programs designed to help prevent crime: Marine Watch, Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch and licensed premises checks. At a meeting last November under the Business Watch pro- gram, local merchants learned how to spot fraud and shoplifting as well as ways to prevent break-ins, Horsman said. READY TO ROLL on his new position as coordinator for Community Policing and Victim Services for the Sidney/ North Saanich RCMP detachment is Constable Kim Hors- man. Business Watch also offers seminars to staff on how to act during an armed robbery and how to prevent crimes. Marine Watch gives boat and marina Owners tips on securing boats and marking property. Neighborhood Watch seminars, usually held in a neighborhood home after a local organizer has gathered residents together, teach people how to secure their homes, protect property and observe pos- sible crime suspects. “A lot of people say they don’t want to bother police, but it could be something significant. We'd rather know beforehand than have to go and clean up the mess of a break-in, Horsman said. “We're always after the fact.” The Senior Citizens Protection program also offers advice on home security, plus advice on avoiding business fraud and con artists, many of whom target seni- ors. All of the crime prevention pro- grams are free and most include information pamphlets, stickers and use of an engraving tool to mark property. Licensed premises checks are a regular part of local detachment patrols. Police note who is in the area and also spot potential impaired drivers, brawls or drug “use. “Mos: of the places like to see us come in. It tends to keep some of the undesirables away — or at least calmed down,’’ Horsman said. Two programs give a closer look at a policeman’s job. The Co-op Education Program brings secondary students from Parkland and Stelly’s schools into the detachment for about 24 hours of police work experience. TOWN OF SIDNEY NOTICE OF TOWN MEETING The council will hold a Town Meeting on Thursday, April 5th, 1990 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Senior Citizens’ Centre, Resthaven Drive, and residents, property owners and business people of Sidney are invited to take this opportunity to question members of Council on any appropriate matter of interest. TheReview Wednesday, March 28,1990 — B2 The students are usually those interested in a policing career and learn about the job by working around the office and going on patrol with local officers. They pick up information on education requirements and train- ing for the job and learn about breathalyzers, fingerprinting, police driving skills and radar. Adults interested in community service and police work can volun- teer as auxiliary police officers. The detachment has 20 such vol- unteers, who each completed a training program. They help police during local festivals and add manpower nding with members on Friday and Sat- urday night patrols. “They provide a vital commun- ity service,” Horsman said. Baha'i Faith It teaches: “Religion is verily the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world, and of tranquility amongst its peoples.” For more information, please phone: _ Mon. Group 656-3599 Tues. Group 656-0601 § AFRICAN acne STEP INTO SPRING IN THE LATEST AFRICAN GEAR. BRIGHT CLOTHES IN COTTO PRINTS. SAFARI HATS, LEATHER, SANDALS & KENYAN SISAL BAGS | THE DRIFTWOOD CENTRE my 2385 BEACON 655-3121 | MON. - SAT. 9:30 to 5:30 Victim Services are offered to those who are victims of crime. Volunteers help victims deal with the experience and with the result- ing court appearances, should a tual result from the crime. Horsman hopes to hear from local residents, businesses and schools who want to take advar tage of the many Sornmmntty pro- grams. “There’s a lot offered through your police Station. Just give us a_ call.” : Constable Kim Horsman can be reached at 656-3931. é {MEL COUVELIER] WORKING FOR SAANICH & THE ISLANDS Mel Couvelier, MLA for Saanich & the Islands wanis to know your cen- cerns. Please visit the Constituency office: 2388 Beacon Ave. Sidney, B.C. 656-6232 Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 or by Appt. AMANDLA Sat., March 31 Register in person or call Chuck Hanan at 656-2605 or Piranhas Summer Swim club registration Registration is at the Panorama Leisure Center on the following days: Sun., April 1 6:30 - 7:30pm 9:00 - 11:00am 7:30 - 8:30pm 4:00 - 5:00pm_‘Thurs., April 5 wa “G80 - 9:00pm Sharon Johnson 656-3577 oy Mon., April 2