Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Regent Park Life - Fall Edition 2012


















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This summer, 157 Youth in Policing Initiative students were given the opportunity to work alongside police officers in  various stations around the city. Four of us were lucky enough to be placed at 51 Division. While at work, we did many tasks assigned by our supervisors and numerous police  officers that needed our  assistance. These jobs included organizing crown envelope  folders to checking the  inventory of biohazard kits in police cruisers. We always had interesting material to keep us busy at 51; and it helped that the officers were so friendly. During our time working for the Toronto Police Service, we have learned how they operate on a day-to-day basis. A common TPS myth was also dispelled; the police officers don’t eat  doughnuts… they eat MUFFINS! A usual day starts at 7:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm. While completing our tasks, we get to interact with police officers with various ranks. No two days are the same throughout a common week at the station. Over the past few weeks, we have learned and enhanced several skills such as leadership,  teamwork and organizational skills. All in all, this has been an amazing once in a lifetime  experience and a great summer job. By YIPI students: Joshua Rigg, Abie Quayson, Miles Lenehan, MacDarrel Ramos Message from Superintendent Tanouye and Inspector Meissner Greetings from 51 division. As the fall season arrives, we are preparing for the colder days and adverse driving conditions. Traffic and pedestrian safety is one of our Service priorities and we remind drivers to be aware of your surroundings, drive defensively by watching for children, pedestrians and bicyclists.  This past summer brought challenges to our communities with shooting violence at the Eaton Centre and Danzig Street. We continue to work with our communities to ensure safe, liveable communities and implemented initiatives such as Summer Safety, TAVIS , the Neighbourhood TAVIS Initiative and the Neighbourhood Safety Initiative. Together we can ensure safe communities for everyone. The Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre opening ceremonies was a great community event. On the 1st of November, this community facility will be the venue where we will be hosting our annual Building Bridges Gala Fundraising event supporting local youth scholarships. Tickets are still available.Report from the Crime Analyst The Toronto Police Service uses statistical data to make many of the day to day decisions that shape the service police provide to the city. One of the ways the Service uses this data is through what’s referred to as Major Crime Indicators. This is a snapshot that can be refined to something as small as patrol zones within a division or broadened to encompass the entire service. Major crime indicators are defined by the following seven types of offences: Murders, Sexual Assaults, Assaults, Robberies, Break and Enters, Auto Thefts and Thefts Over $5000. 51 Division is no different as we use these Major Crime Indicators to gauge the success of implemented crime initiatives as well as to guide and form future projects. This also allows us to put our divisional trends against that of the entire city in an attempt to identify future crime trends on the fly. Regent Park Officer Program The Regent Park Officer Program will continue into the foreseeable future. The response from residents to having these officers assigned to the neighbourhood has been extremely positive and we hope to maintain gains in the area of crime reduction as well as continue to forge new relationships with community members. The officers assigned to the Regent Park Officer Program are part of the 51 Division Community Response Unit and are focused on interacting with, and make personal connections with community members. Their job is to get to know the people in the neighbourhood and to establish positive relationships. By working together towards the community goal of safety within the Regent Park neighbourhood, everyone will benefit. The officer in charge of the Community Response Unit is Staff Sergeant John Spanton and he would be happy to hear your comments about the program. He can be reached at (416) 808 – 5100. Crime Stoppers Crime Stoppers is a partnership of the public, police and media that provides the community with a proactive program for people to assist the police anonymously to solve crimes, thereby contributing to an improved quality of life. Toronto Crime Stoppers is a registered Canadian charity that partners the community, media outlets and local police services to provide community members a way to anonymously supply police with information about a crime or potential crime. TIPSTERS always remain anonymous and are never required to testify in court. CASH REWARDS of up to $2000 may be paid to tipsters.  Tips can be made by calling (416) – 222 – TIPS (8477) or online. To submit a tip online, simply go to http://www.222tips.com/ and click on the “Submit a Tip” section. Once there, fill out the online form. Provide NO identifying information about yourself if you wish to remain anonymous! A tip code number will be issued to you when you click 'Submit Tip'. Project Summer Safety The seven-week Summer Safety Initiative that began at the end of July in response to several violent gang-related crimes in the city has been extraordinarily successful. Across the city there was a 62.2 per cent reduction in homicides and a 50 per cent decrease in shootings and people injured by gun violence during the initiative, compared to a similar seven-week period over the last seven years. In 51 Division officers took to the streets with 3 goals in mind: • reduce violence • increase safety in the       community • improve the quality of life for members of high-risk         communities In the Regent Park community, specifically Violent Calls for Service, have been reduced over 50%.   As a part of our ongoing efforts to develop and maintain positive relationships within the community, and specifically with youth, planning is  underway to develop a youth and police sporting program.  The program will help build new partnerships within the Regent Park community between youth, existing community programs and the members of 51 Division. Halloween will be happening again in a few weeks and it is important that we all pay special attention to the children in the neighbourhood to ensure that that have a fun and safe evening. Kids will be out after dark, so remember to drive slowly and watch out for kids who may be a bit excited, running from home to home and not paying close attention to traffic. For a list of Halloween safety tips, you can go to http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/safetyzone/kids/halloween_safety_pamphlet.pdf. Officer Profile : Staff Sergeant John Spanton I joined the Toronto Police Service in 1985 and was one of 2 officers in my class assigned permanently to 51 Division. I spent the next 8 years patrolling and walking the beat in 51 Division communities, including the old Regent park. In 1993 I transferred to 54 Division where I spent time in Youth Services, Criminal Investigations and uniformed duties. I was promoted in 2001 and transferred to 11 Division uniform duties. After 6 months I was fortunate enough to be transferred to 55 Division where I eventually attained a supervisory position in the Community Response Unit. For the next 3 ½ years I dealt with Community issues. Many times dealing directly with community representatives and business associations. It was this experience that led to another promotion and in 2008 I volunteered to be part of the Regent Park Tavis Neighbourhood Deployment Initiative during the summer so that I could stay in 51 Division as a Staff Sergeant. 51 Division was my first choice and I was lucky enough to return here after all these years.  I have spent the last 4 I joined the Toronto Police Service in 1985 and was one of 2 officers in my class assigned permanently to 51 Division. I spent the next 8 years patrolling and walking the beat in 51 Division communities, including the old Regent park. In 1993 I transferred to 54 Division where I spent time in Youth Services, Criminal Investigations and uniformed duties. I was promoted in 2001 and transferred to 11 Division uniform duties. After 6 months I was fortunate enough to be transferred to 55 Division where I eventually attained a years in uniform and in charge of a Primary Response platoon. In September of this year I took over the Community Response Unit in 51 Division. As part of my duties I attended the recent opening of the Regent Park Arts and Cultural Center. I have a 28 year history with Regent Park and was very happy and proud to see the vast changes happening in the Regent Park community. I look forward to being a part of the changes already planned and those that will certainly follow. S/Sgt Spanton #678 51 Division CRU supervisory position in the Community Response Unit. For the next 3 ½ years I dealt with Community issues. Many times dealing directly with community representatives and business associations. It was this experience that led to another promotion and in 2008 I volunteered to be part of the Regent Park Tavis Neighbourhood Deployment Initiative during the summer so that I could stay in 51 Division as a Staff Sergeant. 51 Division was my first choice and I was lucky enough to return here after all these years.  I have spent the last 4 I joined the Toronto Police Service in 1985 and was one of 2 officers in my class assigned permanently to 51 Division. I spent the next 8 years patrolling and walking the beat in 51 Division communities, including the old Regent park. In 1993 I transferred to 54 Division where I spent time in Youth Services, Criminal Investigations and uniformed duties. I was promoted in 2001 and transferred to 11 Division uniform duties. After 6 months I was fortunate enough to be transferred to 55 Division where I eventually attained a years in uniform and in charge of a Primary Response platoon. In September of this year I took over the Community Response Unit in 51 Division. As part of my duties I attended the recent opening of the Regent Park Arts and Cultural Center. I have a 28 year history with Regent Park and was very happy and proud to see the vast changes happening in the Regent Park community. I look forward to being a part of the changes already planned and those that will certainly follow. S/Sgt Spanton #678 51 Division CRU Crime Prevention Tip -  Bicycle Registration etc... should be detached and taken with you when the bicycle is left unattended.Identification of your bicycleManufacturers mark most bicycles with a serial number. If yours does not have a serial number, engrave an identifying number on the frame. You may wish to put the same number on the wheels and other components. Register your bicycleRegistering your bicycle will greatly assist in its recovery if stolen. Two methods of registration: Bicycle theft is a crime that causes financial loss and inconvenience in every community. Thefts of bicycles can be reduced if owners acknowledge the need for adequate security, and invest in equipment that will be effective. Protect Your Bicycle Register your bicycle with the police.  Use a good quality locking device such as a hardened steel "U" shaped lock, or a hardened steel chain and padlock Lock your bicycle and both wheels to an immovable object which cannot be easily cut or broken. Weak, inexpensive locks will not deter a proficient thief. It is pointless to save money by using a cheaply made lock, only to lose an expensive bicycle.To prevent loss, accessories such as lights and bags, 1.  Use an on-line Bicycle Registry system which can be found on the Toronto Police website http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/bike/ Print the registration formincluded in the pamphlet and bring it to your local police station, or mail it to the address listed on the form. Protect YourselfBefore riding your bicycle, take steps to protect yourself from injury.  Wear an approved bicycle safety helmet.  Use proper lights and reflectors.  Follow all road safety rules.

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