Airdrie Youth to Benefit from Police Program

Airdrie, AB - Airdrie Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the City of Airdrie is pleased to announce a new collaborative community policing program, the Airdrie Community Resource Unit. Constables Patti Reid and Robert Frizzell have been assigned to the newly formed Airdrie Community Resource Unit effective September 1, 2009.

"The vision of the Community Resource Unit is to build bridges between youth at risk and police by providing early intervention and positive interaction," says Constable Patti Reid, one of Airdrie's new Community Resource Officers. "The members will work collaboratively with community partners and agencies with a proactive approach in order to address challenges our youth are facing."

Funded by the City of Airdrie, the program aims to enhance the delivery of community policing through an innovative and cooperative effort between public organizations, the City of Airdrie, Airdrie Peace Officers, Airdrie RCMP, Rocky View Schools, Calgary Catholic School District and local businesses.

"Community prevention is vital for a healthy community. We need to be active participants with the trends of our society and respond with an effective approach," says Mayor Linda Bruce. "This program is about interacting with our youth, coaching and giving them life skills, accountability and information they need to make informed choices when in negative peer-pressured environments."

"The benefits of coordinated community policing efforts, addresses youth risks factors resulting in a healthier and safer community. Better relationships between community partners will contribute to safer homes, communities as well as safe and caring schools," says Reid. "While this approach is directed at youth, it will also be broad enough to address the community's issues and concerns which may arise." Constable Reid will focus on youth in Airdrie middle and high schools and Constable Frizzell will be delivering the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program to elementary students.

For more information, please contact:

Tara Richards,
Communications Coordinator, City of Airdrie
(403) 948-8800 ext 8722
c. (403) 606-8373
tara.richards@airdrie.ca

Cst. P.M. (Patti) REID
Airdrie RCMP Community Resource Officer
(403) 945-7212
c. (403) 399-4350
Patti.M.Reid@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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