McMaster, students and police partner to improve community
McMaster University in partnership with the McMaster Students Union (MSU), the City of Hamilton, and Hamilton Police Service is taking steps to improve the quality of life for permanent residents and students living around the campus.
Effective Jan. 14, 2005 an enhanced community security initiative was implemented in West Hamilton. The program provides two off-duty Hamilton Police officers to patrol the streets in the Ainslie Wood/Westdale neighbourhoods on Friday and Saturday nights during the academic year. These special duty officers are in addition to regular bylaw and police officers already working in the West Hamilton community. The staffing costs will be paid for by McMaster University and the MSU.
“McMaster recognizes that it is a part of the West Hamilton community and, as such, has a responsibility to address issues created by the University's growth and activity,” explains Roger Trull, vice president, university advancement. “The enforcement program is just one way we are working to achieve this goal.”
The McMaster Students Union is a funding partner in the initiative. President Shano Mohan recognizes that a growing number of students are living in the neighbourhoods around the University. “I am pleased that students can be a part of the solution to enhance the community for everyone.”
Hamilton Police Service is providing the patrol vehicles as an in-kind contribution to the initiative. Chief Brian Mullan says, “We welcome the opportunity to participate in this enhanced security initiative. It supplements our resources to better serve the community.”
Brian McHattie, Ward 1 councillor, says, “Hamilton is a recognized leader by other communities in the development of partnerships to address university and neighbourhood concerns. This program is another example of community co-operation which helps make West Hamilton a great campus neighbourhood.”
The improvements to local security enforcement are an initiative of the Campus Town Association, a partnership between the University, the Ainslie Wood/Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners (AWWCA) and the Westdale Village Business Improvement Association (BIA).
