Subject: Safer Bars story

By Paul Cluff
Staff reporter, The Stratford Beacon Herald

Cleaning up the after-bar scene and initiating a program that teaches staff how to handle violence has earned Stratford Police Service and a city resident Ontario Crime Control Commission Awards for Excellence in Crime Fighting.  Perth-Middlesex MPP Bert Johnson presented the awards to Tine Buechler and Police Chief Gerry McEwin at Thursday's Police Services Board meeting at City Hall.

Ms. Buechler, owner of Business Growth Training, approached Stratford Police Services about initiating the Safer Bars Program. The program trains bar staff how to work together to defuse potentially violent situations. Eleven local bars took part in the program and five had 100 per cent management participation and 60 per cent staff participation required to be certified.

"We wanted people to know that we appreciate the positive effects of the work they have done," said Mr. Johnson.

The launch of the downtown enforcement program, which focused on the Market Square area after hours, helped cut down on violence and underage drinking in the city's downtown core. "The officers did an outstanding job and we're seeing the effects of our work," Chief McEwin said when accepting on behalf of the police department. Ms. Buechler said it was an honour to receive such an award for serving the community and accepted "on behalf of everyone who works in her office and everyone in the city of Stratford who benefits."  "They both have helped solve a significant community problem," said Mr. Johnson.

The Ontario Crime Commission was founded in 1997 by Ontario's then-premier Mike Harris with a mandate to find innovative ways to reduce crime and improve public and community safety. The awards of excellence are given annually to those who have made outstanding contributions to crime control and safety.

"We wanted people to know that we appreciate the positive effects of the work they have done," said Mr. Johnson. "This was a good way of expressing that publicly."

"The program is a fantastic example of the kind of preventive action that makes Stratford a safe and friendly community for residents and visitors."

Ms. Buechler and the Stratford Police Service are among 131 recipients of the award this year.

Larke Turnbull
City Editor

The Beacon Herald,
16 Packham Road, Box 430,
Stratford, Ontario N5A  6T6
519-271-2222, ext. 203