NCJ Number
146692
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 41 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1993) Pages: 20-26
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A community policing operation in the Riversdale district of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, is featured.
Abstract
The highly experimental, proactive, problem-oriented Riversdale Police Community Help Centre (RPCHC) was started and is maintained on a zero budget. Office rent, taxes, and utilities are paid for by the Riversdale Business Improvement District; most other expenses are covered by various businesses and individuals. The salary of the special projects coordinator is the only cost to Saskatoon taxpayers. Training for the project was nil; top managers read published reports and articles on community policing. Projects of the RPCHC include Riversdale Clean-Up Day; Victim Call-Back Program; Prostitute Informational Assistance; Fire and Health Safety Program; Beatmen Teams; Suspended Drivers Project; Hotel Bar Staff Training; Tender Loving Care; Mailboxes for Homeless; Elderly/Youth Home Repair; Spirit Day; and One Heart, Many Colors. Since RPCHC¦s inception in 1992, most types of crime in Riversdale have dropped significantly. A volunteer for the storefront operation remarks, "Our police used to be too far away. Now our people are smiling again." The Saskatoon police chief is quite pleased with the RPCHC, and wants to see just three changes: 1) a permanent source of funding; 2) more Oriental and Native volunteers; and 3) making RPCHC a 24-hour operation.