By Sandra Milton
What is an NRT and what can they do for us?
Some of the 24 members we already know by name and others we can get to know if we make the right approach. They are the community policing officers often seen riding their bikes or walking through our parks or even cruising by in vehicles. They work on various day and evening shifts, wear a name tag to identify themselves and are open to personal interactions.
The men and women of the NRT take a more proactive, community-oriented approach to policing, and they are all committed to the area. The team members that you see work throughout Lowertown; in the ByWard Market and on both the east and west sides of King Edward Ave. They also cover Sandy Hill and often link with the separate team for Vanier. As we know well, each geographic area has different needs and this organization provides officers with the ability to develop relationships with different individuals and institutions in each location.
The NRTs practice community policing. This means that they work with the community to identify problems and to develop effective solutions. It means that the emphasis is on preventing crime, deterring individuals from committing a crime and diminishing crime and its consequences for the community.
Community safety is a shared responsibility among police, residents, business owners and community organizations. One way that Lowertown residents can assist them is to use their eyes and ears and voice. As the saying goes, “See something, say something and make the right call.”
The NRT cannot solve all problems in our community. But working within the rules that govern them, they can work closely with other services working here and throughout the city. They are hoping to have some “meet-and-greet” gatherings in some of our parks over the summer. If plans continue to take shape, our community police officers may soon have a location closer to the area. This could make them a real part of the neighbourhood and go some way to building trust and to making residents feel more secure.
Some Good News Stories
The 529 Garage app
This app allows bike owners to register their bicycles, and if one goes missing, the owner activates an alert notification, which sends out a broadcast for police to be on the look-out for the missing bicycle. As a result, many have been returned to owners.
Helping Hands
Some seniors living alone are unable to provide the necessary maintenance on their property. Recently, there was a need for clean-up in our community and when notified, some of our physically fit police officers did the job of removing debris.
Sandra Milton is Chair of the Safety and Security Committee, Lowertown Community Association.