“We’re welcoming more than 10 partners to this month’s CAT deployment,” says Acting Sgt. Shawn Wruth with Downtown Division. “These agencies provide essential services to our city and the EPS is proud to feature the positive work they do.”
The Community Action Team is a unified, visible EPS initiative that brings policing and civic resources together to engage the public, prevent crime and target disorder. Agencies attending this month’s CAT deployment include:
- Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
- Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
- Amiskwaciy Academy
- REACH Edmonton
- Crime Stoppers
- Alberta Health Services and Mental Health
- Boyle Street Outreach Program
- Homeward Trust
- Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation
- Walk-In Counselling Society of Edmonton
- The Family Centre
- 211 Support Network
- Youth Empowerment Support Services
- Centre High Campus
- Oxford Properties
- Edmonton Police Service Cadets
“We value our ongoing partnership with EPS,” said REACH Edmonton Executive Director Jan Fox. “At REACH, we’re focused on making Edmonton a safer community. CAT deployments offer us a chance to connect with Edmontonians and increase positive interactions with police so that residents can feel safe.”
Edmonton City Centre will host the Edmonton Police Service, partners and honoured guests on March 18, 2015 at 1 p.m. for the CAT deployment opening ceremonies.
“Edmonton City Centre is dedicated to providing a welcoming, inclusive, safe environment for everyone who visits our shopping centre. We are committed, as individuals and as a company, to being active and engaged citizens and community members and are proud to help facilitate the Edmonton Police Service Community Action Team in our centre,” says Olympia Trencevski, General Manager, Retail and Office Portfolio, Oxford Properties Group.
The event kicks off with a drumming ceremony by the Amiskwaciy Academy and a blessing by Aboriginal Elder Francis Whiskeyjack. Remarks from Deputy Mayor Oshry and Acting Chief Simpson will follow.
The public is encouraged to stop by the CAT deployment at Edmonton City Centre to speak with officers and partners, pick up crime prevention materials, check out a historic EPS vehicle and view a demonstration by the EPS Canine Unit.
The CAT deployments are part of the EPS Violence Reduction Strategy and have been successful in reducing crime and disorder in communities across the city. For more information about the Community Action Team (CAT) and the Violence Reduction Strategy, please visit www.edmontonpolice.ca/CAT.
CAT Deployment Public Schedule:
Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015
1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Edmonton City Centre, west food court concourse
Opening ceremonies start at 1 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 19, 2015
1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Edmonton City Centre, west food court concourse
Friday, Mar. 20, 2015
1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Edmonton City Centre, west food court concourse
Saturday, Mar. 21, 2015
1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Edmonton City Centre, west food court concourse
EPS Canine Unit demonstration at 4 p.m.