The Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) gives students aged 15 to 18 years of age an overview of policing.
This year two students hired by the North Bay Police Service will be involved with seven projects during the summer months.
“We’ve got a couple of great kids again this year. They are looking towards a career in law enforcement,” explained Special Constable John Schultz Community Safety Coordinator.
“Our function through this provincial government program is to give them an overview of policing. But also, to give them projects to reach out within our community, to ensure that there is positive messaging out there about what people can do within the city of North Bay and Callander to help prevent crime in their neighbourhood.”
YIPI student Saida Wells plans to study criminology at Nipissing University in the fall.
“We engage and educate the community. So, we have different programs like Lock it or Lose It and Know Your Neighbours. We go around with different pamphlets and talk to different neighbourhoods that are being hit with different property invasions or thefts from vehicles and such,” explained Wells.
High school student Sheldon Kilroy is enjoying learning more about some of the many aspects of policing.
“It gives me the opportunity to get exposed to the world of policing. This is a career I’m interested in doing in the future. I get to work alongside different units here at the police station and I get taken out and shown what they do whether it be at the courthouse or with our mobile crisis unit,” explained Kilroy.
“I get to learn what they do on a daily basis. And also getting involved with our community and telling people about the different programs offered by the North Bay Police Service.”
The mobile crisis unit has been a real eye-opener for Kilroy.
“The mobile crisis unit has shown us the different centres they have, the warming centre at Pete Palangio and the different centres around town I didn’t even know existed; all these different mental health resources.”
One project currently underway is in partnership with the Community Drug Strategy North Bay and Area, where the students speak to seniors about proper disposal of expired and unused prescription medications.
See related: Proper disposal of expired and unused prescription medications could be life saving
Another initiative the students are working on is a free bicycle rodeo for children to be held at the end of the month.
“The last week of July we are doing a bike rodeo for kids five to ten years old. We are going to be at Lee Park and Omischl all during the week. We’re going to be teaching the kids about bicycle safety,” said Wells.
“In addition to bike safety rules, the rules of the road, we’re making sure everyone’s bikes are all up to par, making sure everyone is safe on the road,” added Kilroy.
The rodeo will follow social distancing guidelines.
“Parents can book a time. We’re going to have 15-minute sessions so it will be one family at a time. We’re going to have a handwashing station, and we’re going to make sure that they’re social distancing,” explained Wells.
The rodeo runs July 21 to the 25, Tuesday through Saturday.
Visit [email protected] to register.
