As a banker, Kelly Ash loves data.
“(But) this is better,” the branch manager of the Southwest Regional Credit Union in Wyoming said during June’s Sarnia police board meeting.
Ash, the board’s vice-chairperson, recalled spending several meetings last fall amid the lead-up to budget talks hearing about Sarnia residents’ safety concerns and calls for an increased police presence.
A letter from a citizen included in the June 22 police board agenda spoke glowingly about the difference they’ve observed in Veterans Park. The note, addressed to Sean Peters, a sergeant with the Community Oriented Police Problem Solving (COPPS) unit, thanked them for the marked improvement in the neighborhood around the Wellington Street park.
“It’s very noticeable that Veterans Park is (at this very moment as a matter of fact) clear and clean and welcoming to regular folks,” the letter said. “Thank you.”
“This letter from this citizen stating that it’s noticeable – that’s a measureable,” Ash said to the board. “They’re seeing it happen.”
She also pointed out the community is seeing results in a relatively short amount of time.
Julie Craddock, Sarnia’s deputy police chief, said the letter was just one snapshot of the positive feedback that’s been received about increased police presence and community engagement.
The COPPS unit has four constables and identifies issues endangering safety and property and takes various actions to address it, according to the Sarnia police website.