Pubdate: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 Source: Enterprise-Bulletin, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2003, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2267 Author: Raymond Bowe YOUTH, DRUGS TOP POLICE SURVEY CONCERNS COLLINGWOOD - Collingwood OPP officials weren't caught off guard by any of the information gleaned from a telephone survey on police services, but knowing what the public is thinking is as important as guns and ammo. "(The results) didn't really surprise us -- it's what we anticipated," said Acting Staff Sgt. John Trude. "We tend to have a pretty good idea what's going on most of the time," he added. The survey was answered by 376 random residents, asking a wide range of questions relating to safety issues to perceptions of violent crime in Collingwood. It was conducted from December 2002 to March 2003 by auxiliary officers and volunteers. "We like to keep an arm's length distance with (who conducts the survey)," Trude said. "It's a pretty good tool... because a lot of people might say they didn't call the police because they didn't want to bother us." Some residents don't want to be bothersome of nuisances to the police force, said Trude, "but (those calls) may go a long way towards achieving our goal. These are the nuts-and-bolts, day-to-day happenings in our community." The poll gathered opinion on police issues, and rated OPP services. According to the executive summary, respondents "felt very good" about the community and how people get along with each other. The majority of respondents said the service was satisfactory or better. However, responses can go both ways -- good or bad -- and that's to be expected. "If we are told we're doing something right, that's nice to hear; but if there are things we can do better, we'll also take that into account," said Trude. "Constructive criticism is how we get better." Most respondents have a positive attitude of their neighbourhood. About 94 per cent said they're are willing to help their neighbours, while 66 per cent said their community was "close-knit." Some of the youth-related problems included young people congregating on downtown streets, skateboarding on sidewalks, school violence, and youth gangs. Trude said gangs aren't problematic in Collingwood compared to the Middle East or a rough Toronto enclave, "but perception is reality. It all has to be put into perspective." For example, earlier this summer many citizens complained about people taking up all of the benches on Hurontario Street. That issue could've been addressed many ways, but the OPP chose to take a proactive approach. "It's all about making police officers available in the community," Trude said. That's why the OPP shifted some of its focus to increasing accessibility. Programs to achieve that goal included trotting out the horse-mounted unit, opening the downtown office, and increasing both bicycle and foot patrols. "An officer on a bike is 10 times as effective as an officer in a car," said Trude. "But we have to balance accessibility with responding to calls for service." The downtown office was so well-received that it will stay operational year-round. The police services board will review the survey report at its next meeting, and will also use it to develop the 2004 business plan. The results will also be analyzed by the Collingwood Police Services Board (CPSB), which meets monthly. The board's next meeting is in late September. CPSB implements general policy in Collingwood, and is municipality-specific. "Each municipality is unique," said Trude. "We want the public to be more involved, then we are more reflective of our community." The bottom line is to avoid complacency, he said. The Community Policing Advisory Committee (CPAC), made up of of local citizens, will also view at the survey results. CPAC is a grass-roots, hands-on committee. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake