The Edmonton Police Service Community Action Team (CAT) will be active in northeast Edmonton this week to build on community policing efforts and to help citizens connect directly with officers and social agencies in a less formal environment.

“During the summer months we typically see an increase in property crimes, so we want to get out there in the community and try to prevent as many of these as we can,” says Supt. Terry Rocchio with EPS Northeast Division.  “We invite residents in these neighbourhoods to come out and meet the officers, tell us your concerns, and find out how you can help us fight crime in your neighbourhood.”

The CAT deployment will focus on reducing property and violent crimes, and targeting criminal activity in the area.  Police units will be highly visible and in maximum contact with the public, and volunteers from partner agencies will be helping to connect the public with crime prevention materials and other related services.

Neighbourhood residents are invited out to the EPS Mobile Action Centre that will be set up in the deployment areas, and to enjoy a free community barbecue while they speak to officers and volunteers.  Everyone is welcome.

• July 9 and 10, 2014, 6 to 9 p.m.
  Abbottsfield Mall, 34 Street and 118 Avenue
  Southwest Parking Lot

• July 11 and 12, 2014, 6 to 9 p.m.
  St. Clare Church, 63 Street and 118 Avenue
  West Parking Lot

The monthly CAT deployments are part of the EPS Violence Reduction Strategy and have been successful in addressing a wide range of criminal and social issues.  For more information about the Violence Reduction Strategy, please visitwww.edmontonpolice.ca/vrs.