Sun Youth bike patrols out to keep public spaces safe
Program started in 1984 and seeks to promote safety and prevent crime
Police in the West Island and Montreal can look forward to some summer support in the form of newly sworn in Sun Youth bike patrols.
Nine neighbourhood police stations are getting the help of 24 patrollers to survey the streets. Their mandate is to ensure the safety of public spaces like parks and playgrounds.
Sid Stevens, the head of Sun Youth, said during the inauguration ceremony that it was a proud moment for the patrollers' friends and family.
"They're of course the eyes and ears of the police department, and we're very proud," Stevens said. "It's a very nice occasion for all of us today."
Bike patrol supervisor Iryna Machulina has been teamed up with a rookie and they will patrol the West Island.
"At the end, you see how they evolve throughout the summer and you see how great of a patroller they become," Machulina said.
"It's rewarding to see the small changes, and at the end you see how the community appreciates them."
with files from Shaun Malley