I couldnt ask for anything better

By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
SACKVILLE - When HRM's regional councillors recently debated the merits of having the Halifax Regional Police take over policing for the entire municipality, many residents in outlying areas currently served by the RCMP made their support known.
On Sackville Drive, business owners posted their views on signs visible along the busy roadway. "Crosby and the Mounties are our Gold Medalists" read the sign outside the Superbowl/Supercue. Back to Health Chiropractic used their business sign to ask "RCMP - Here Since 1932, Why Change Now?!"
In the end, Halifax regional council scrapped the recommendation by the Board of Police Commissioners and opted to maintain the status quo.
In recognition of the positive feedback and support received by residents living in communities served by Halifax District RCMP, the police force's management team and local officers hosted a handful of community open house sessions late last week to thank the public for what they called "the overwhelming support of the integrated policing model."
At the Lower Sackville RCMP Detachment last Thursday, parking was hard to find as residents showed up to mingle with RCMP officers and managers.
"Given the extremely short timeline involved, the response of the folks living in areas outside the downtown core (supporting the RCMP) was pretty impressive," said Const. Curt Wentzell, community policing co-ordinator for the Lower Sackville office of the Halifax Detachment.
"We had phone calls, emails, and even calls to our homes. The support from the public came quick and fast."
Wentzell believes one of the reasons for the positive public reaction is due to the fact many RCMP members live in the communities they serve and more often than not are also active volunteers.
"We've got police who volunteer within their own communities and are involved in everything from Scouts and Guides to the Lions Club and events like the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life, hockey, and on and on from there," he said.
Sackville detachment supervisor Cpl. Angela Corscadden happily declared the open house a success as she looked around at people interacting comfortably with police. She described the overwhelming public support as "humbling."
Lower Sackville resident Art Greene said he was one of many who were pleased that HRM councillors decided to keep the RCMP patrolling the municipality's outlying areas.
"You've got years of involvement here. They're good at what they do," Greene said.
A group of seniors with the Beaver Bank Keeners also attended the open house. Keith Barrett was one of several in the group who agreed the decision to keep the RCMP was a good one.
"They take a very strong community relationship with the people they serve. I feel more secure with these fellows here," Barrett said. "We would miss them greatly if they left."
His wife Pat Barrett and fellow Woodbine resident Bob Hiltz couldn't say enough about their community policing liaison officer Cst. Michael Bracken. They believe relationships forged between residents and community policing officers like Bracken are critical.
"I'd trust him with my life. If I was ever in a situation and Mike was there I wouldn't worry," Pat said.
Hiltz agreed, describing Bracken's rapport with the community of Beaver Bank as terrific.
"I couldn't ask for anything better. We don't usually know the RCMP other than as a police force," Hiltz said. "It's more personal now. I know they're here to help me."
ydentremont@eastlink.ca