DIA Executive Director Jeff Serran, Acting Police Chief Shawn Devine and student Chris Dahlke examine the bike Chris will use on patrol this summer. Photo by Jeff Turl.
Downtown will have four extra ears and eyes this summer, as the police and merchants partner up in the "Youth-In-Policing Initiative".
Two students have been hired, one male one female.
"Their goal is to be in the downtown core and be the eyes and ears for police," explained acting North Bay Police Chief Shawn Devine."
“They will help police in criminal reduction matters, be a conduit for the DIA on business and customer improvement topics, and be advocates for the public safety suggestions they receive.”
The students will be wearing T-shirts with the police logo on them to identify them to the public.
"They're not crime fighters. They're not down here to arrest people", Devine cautioned. "What they'll do is bring attention to any incidents that are going on to the DIA (Downtown Improvement Area) or call police."
One of the students is Chris Dahlke, and he applied for the job because he sees policing in his future.
"I thought it was a great opportunity," Dahlke told reporters. "Just the thought of helping people around the city and having such an interesting job."
DIA Executive Director Jeff Serran says the partnership is an important one for his group.
"Sometimes there is a perception in different areas, whether correct or not, and having an extra set of eyes and ears for us is just great and will be a real benefit to our membership."
The Ambassador Program will see the students come up with a report on their observations to help the police with future community mobilization programs in partnership with the DIA.
