Pubdate: Fri, 06 May 2005
Source: Alliston Herald (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.simcoe.com/sc/alliston/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2224
Author: Tracy Dermott

ALMOST 80 PER CENT BELIEVE DRUGS IN SCHOOL A PROBLEM

South Simcoe News Nottawasaga Opp Release Survey Results

According to a recent community survey, the majority of people living in 
New Tecumseth, Essa and Adjala-Tosorontio feel safe in their community. The 
Policing for Results Community Survey was recently completed for the 
Nottawasaga OPP.

"It's a report card from the community," said Nottawasaga OPP Sgt. Dirk 
Cockburn.

Out of 1,000 phone calls, 381 people completed the survey, rating the OPP 
on their service and what their perception of the community is.

Cockburn and Insp. Lesley Rice were at the New Tecumseth council meeting 
Monday night to present the results of the survey. Rice is now acting as 
Nottawasaga OPP's detachment commander while Insp. Mark Allen has been 
seconded for a three-month period.

On a scale of one to four, the majority of respondents said they feel safe 
to very safe in the community.

"We're quite pleased," Rice said.

According to the report, public awareness about the toll-free line that can 
be used in non-emergency situations has dropped from 51 per cent in 2002 to 
32.9 per cent in 2004.

Cockburn said the OPP would be working on getting more information out to 
the public to increase awareness.

The OPP uses the report to draft its annual business plan and to outline 
categories police need to work on in the next year.

Rice said, based on survey responses, the communities the Nottawasaga OPP 
serves are pleased with the visibility of officers.

Rice drew attention to the statistic where respondents said they had 
noticed an increase in seatbelt safety and enforcement. According to the 
report, the increased education has caused 55.7 per cent of people to 
change their ways and become more proactive in seatbelt use.

Cockburn said one area the OPP has to work on is scaling back the amount of 
false 911 calls, such as those dialed in error. He said the calls are time 
and money expensive. Officers have to be dispatched to every call to ensure 
there isn't a problem. Cockburn said that takes available officers away 
from responding to real emergencies.

The survey took 11 weeks to complete. It will be delivered to every 
household in the Nottawasaga OPP detachment area.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman