Delegates from near and far congregated in front of a large crowd Tuesday (April 26) to unveil the RCMP's newest strategy for policing in Squamish.
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky MP John Reynolds travelled from Ottawa to join Mayor Ian Sutherland, 樱桃视频Nation Chief Eleanor Andrew, RCMP Superintendent Wayne Sutherland, local Staff Sgt. Mark Hennigar and Sgt. Colin Worth in cutting the ribbon to the new downtown community policing station on Cleveland Avenue.
"This will enhance our ability to deliver our service and allow face-to-face contact with citizens," said Hennigar. "As the community grows we envisage a more active police presence at the station."
The downtown station will be staffed and managed mostly by volunteers, and it was this collaboration that made the project a reality, said Hennigar.
The initiative to bring police presence downtown began in 1998 with a discussion between council and then-Staff Sgt. Rex Henry.
Ideas on the location of a unit ranged from using a mobile trailer to soliciting donated space from a business owner.
The District of 樱桃视频is now leasing a section of the Telus building on Cleveland Avenue at below market value.
Decades ago the office was used by telephone switch operators but has been sitting empty since technological advancement made operators redundant.
Ian Sutherland said the station could not have gone ahead without the support of council.
