“Whyte Avenue is such a wonderful place to get out, walk around and socialize with family and friends during the summer months,” said EPS Temporary Acting Sgt. Terence Mak. “This CAT deployment is simply one of our many ongoing initiatives held throughout the year, which increases police presence in hotspots around the city with the objective of increasing public safety.
The Southwest Division CAT Deployment will focus police and community efforts on reducing violence and crime on Whyte Avenue and surrounding neighbourhoods from 99 Street to 109 Street. The primary objectives of the latest CAT will be to:
- Increase police visibility and presence in licenced establishments along the avenue.
- Identify and remove any individuals with outstanding warrants from those premises.
- Suppress crime and disorder in and around the avenue.
Community residents are invited to join EPS members at a barbecue on Thursday, June 12 in the parking lot outside of the Strathcona Beats police station, 7903 104 Street (behind the Save-On Foods grocery store). The barbecue will run from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Free Slurpees will also be available to the public.
Members of the EPS Victims Services Unit will also be on hand (Thursday evening) to provide citizens with information regarding the important services they provide to victims of crime and tragedy.
Other partners who will be on hand (Thursday evening) include:
- REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities
- Crime Stoppers
- YESS Armoury Youth Centre
- Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
The CAT deployments are highly visible and mobile, and have been successful in quickly addressing a wide range of criminal and social issues.
For more information about the EPS Violence Reduction Strategy, please visit: www.edmontonpolice.ca/vrs.