Local police are reaching out to the community with their fourth annual open house and community picnic.
The Community Police Liaison Committee will host the event on May 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 43 Division, located at 4331 Lawrence Ave., east of Morningside Avenue.
“This event is designed to bring together youth and police officers from our community in a fun filled activity,” committee co-chair Marilyn Hodge said. It is about fostering an environment of trust.”
About 1,500 people attended the free event last year.
Families will have the opportunity to take a tour of the station as well as Emergency Medical Services. Exhibits include a police cruiser, a fire engine and an ambulance.
“There will be many things to do from face painting, to a silent auction and even a mobile skate park provided by the East Toronto Boys & Girls Club,” Hodge said. “Plus of course their will be plenty of food for everyone.”
Members of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program are scheduled to cap their build-blitz with a special presentation.
The event is possible due to generous donations and support from various businesses in the community, as well as ProAction Cops & Kids, a charitable organization that provides funding for Toronto Police Programs for youth at risk such as this one.
“Sometimes trust does not come easy between a community and the police especially when it comes to the youth,” Ryan D’Sena said. “It is one of the reasons why I want to become a police officer, to help build that trust.”
D’Sena, who has applied to the police academy, said he has wanted to be a police officer since he was 16. Growing up in Scarborough as part of a visible minority, D’Sena can relate to the importance of showing youth that they can go to police if they need someone to turn to.