Pubdate: Tue, 01 Apr 2003
Source: 40-Mile County Commentator, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 The 40-Mile County Commentator
Contact:  http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/bicomm/home/index.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2541
Author: By Gail Ellison
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

RCMP PRESENTS BUSINESS PLAN TO LOCAL COUNCILS

Sgt. Rick Cashman of the Bow Island/Foremost detachment, attended the March 
12 meeting of the council of the County of Forty Mile to present a business 
plan.

"I like (the term) 'policing strategy', we're not a business," Cashman said 
of the plan.

The presentation covered two programs that will be implemented in the 
communities in the county. One is the Youth Restorative Justice Program.

"The new youth act effective April 1 gives more choices for police," 
Cashman said.

One of those choices is having a committee set up to deal with incidents 
involving youth. Cashman said the South East Alberta Youth Justice 
Committee, working out of Medicine Hat, will train people locally to serve 
on a committee that, together with the youth, parents and victim will deal 
with youths who commit crimes.

"The youth has to agree (to co-operate), otherwise it goes straight to 
court," Cashman explained.

Another program Cashman said he is looking at is the Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education program, or DARE.

"I have determined it's a very good program. It gives the opportunity for 
youth to see policemen in the schools."

The DARE program is taught by working police officers to Grade 5 and 6 
students and outlines the consequences of using drugs.

"We tell them exactly what it is and what it does. There's no sugar," he 
explained.

Cashman said DARE is a U.S. program and has strict guidelines for its 
implementation.

"For the 2003-2004 school year I'm prepared to commit two members (to teach 
it)."

Cashman said he is also looking at two other crime-prevention programs.

"Rural Crime Watch and Citizens on Patrol (COPS) are one of my priorities. 
I have my officers actively recruiting. The goal is hopefully to get some 
big meetings going."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom