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New Westminster police ask for public's guidance

New Westminster Police Service is reaching out to the public to help set the force's goals and priorities for the coming years.

New Westminster Police Service is reaching out to the public to help set the force's goals and priorities for the coming years.

Residents of the city can visit the New Westminster Police Service website and fill out a survey with questions that will help police form their strategic plan document, which will guide the force for the next three years.

"It's probably one of the most key documents in an organization. It sets up strategically what your goals and objectives are. It defines yourself," said Chief Const. Dave Jones.

The survey takes between five and 10 minutes to fill out and asks respondents to rate what types of criminal activity local police should focus on, like illegal drugs, break-and-enters or theft-from-autos.

Residents will also be asked to rate the service's overall performance, and offer suggestions on what the force currently does well and what it needs to improve on in the future. Lastly, respondents are asked to give some demographic information, including age, sex, neighbourhood of residence or work, and what, if any, interaction they've had with police in the last year.

The survey is done anonymously, and police will not track or keep the information they receive.

Beyond the public survey, Jones said senior management will consult local police officers, business and community groups, crime and demographic change statistics, other agencies in the city and New Westminster counsel to help put the document together.

Once complete, New Westminster police will tailor their budgets and resources to the new priorities.

Jones pointed to traffic and the desire for a second school liaison officer to local schools as being priorities identified in the last strategic plan that the force has moved resources to.

Jones said the public should feel some ownership in the strategic plan, and he encourages residents to fill out the survey.

"The best plans you can have are the ones where you've got the most comprehensive information from a variety of sources, particularly the public. It's the public that we serve, so we need to hear from the public as to what their concerns are," he said. "Go online, fill it out and give us that honest feedback. Put some thought into what it is. We're not asking this because it was a requirement. We're asking this because we truly need and want that feedback from the public. We want to know what type of service they like or what they see as important to them. They have a big part in this."

The survey can be found at www.newwestpolice.org. Residents have until Jan. 13 to give their responses.

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