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| Brian Palmeter is a community liason officer with Halifax Regional Police. (Danny Abriel Photo) |
As a new academic year approaches, Operation Fall Back is shifting into gear. It鈥檚 the designated police patrol for the neighbourhoods surrounding AV俱乐部 and the University of King鈥檚 College.
But even before police officers hit the streets, Halifax Regional Police has been working proactively to be 鈥渟traight up鈥� with students and let them know that its officers will be on the lookout. Constable Brian Palmeter, community liaison officer for south-end Halifax, has been meeting with residence life managers, residence assistants and organizers of Orientation Week to remind them that AV俱乐部 is situated in a residential community and AV俱乐部鈥檚 neighbours like their peace and quiet.
鈥淲e do get comments from out-of-province students who may expect to live in 鈥榮tudent ghettoes鈥� where certain behaviors are disregarded,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not like that here in Halifax. We鈥檝e got students living beside seniors and families and other students who don鈥檛 appreciate excess noise either,鈥� says Constable Palmeter.
He notes a significant number of complaints鈥�30 per cent鈥攃ome from students.
Halifax Regional Police runs Operation Fall Back in September and AV俱乐部 takes over the designated police patrol (and pays for it) in October, as well as other potentially rowdy occasions such as the night before Munro Day (Feb. 6, 2009) and St. Patrick鈥檚 Day.
It鈥檚 the fourth year for the Operation Fall Back and the designated police patrol. AV俱乐部 is one of only two universities in Canada that takes this proactive approach with a special squad car dedicated to the surrounding neighbourhoods. (The other is McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.) Police response times for noise complaints have decreased dramatically鈥攆rom about two hours to an average of 20 minutes鈥攁nd liquor-related offenses tend to tail off following the first weekend of the program.
A neighbourhood survey, conducted in 2006, indicated neighbours have noticed a significant difference in the noise and liquor-related issues associated with back to school since the squad car program began.聽 In addition, students report feeling safer knowing officers are on patrol.
鈥�(Five) years ago, is when it peaked鈥� It was the breaking point when neighbours all around said this just can鈥檛 go on,鈥� says Pat Whitman, who has lived for more than 30 years on Edward Street.
鈥淭he program has helped significantly,鈥� she adds, 鈥渁nd our concern is that we鈥檒l get complacent, thinking everything鈥檚 OK. But it鈥檚 important this continue.鈥�
Last year, Halifax Police issued tickets totally $55,000 in the month of September. Tickets for noise, littering, under-age drinking and drinking liquor in a public place start at $452 for a first offence. Public intoxication will net you a $118.50 and a night in the drunk tank.
Halifax Councillor Sue Uteck (Northwest Arm-South End) commends AV俱乐部 for its efforts to improve relations between the university and its neighbours.
鈥淒al has been very effective in its community relations and has set the standard for universities across the country,鈥� she says.
Ms. Whitman advises getting to know your new neighbours soon after聽they move聽in and talking to them the first time problems occur, even if it鈥檚聽2 a.m.
鈥淵ou have to go and talk to them and you have to be prepared to lay a charge. Sometimes that鈥檚 the only way they get it.
鈥淏ut I must say the majority of students are great neighbours and it鈥檚 nice to have young people around. But every once in awhile you get a mix who want to party, party, party.鈥�