Dear Editor: T have just finished reading Knight’s) article regarding the di ing of B.C. police auxiliaries. It was very well done. I think the real issuc is not about safety at all iWaries are not the problem. lem is with the hierarchy. Whar better way to get rid o: thing you don’t Jike. Bring in a group of people who may not understand the program, don’t support it and can be influenced so easily by bringing up con- cerns that Pm sare would have been addressed years ago when “auxiliaries” Were first armed. Ler’s nor forget how ca alarm the public. Most people don’t even know what an auxiliary is let atone what they do. As for the role, it has, and always will he prob- it is to north shore news MAIL Box Dont dismantle auxiliary program be to provide fully trained “volunteer” auviliary police officers to augment the regular force, It is the law that gives them the authority to carry firearms. The “peace officer” status while on du Of course there are specific guide- lines and requirements that they must meet before being armed. Ifa member doesn’t pass the semi- annual requalifications for firearms then the normal procedure is that they cannot work any patrol duty until they do. Let’s not forget that this is only one small part of their annual training. lot of auxiliary\reserve programs do firearms training twice a vear: a day shoot and a night shoot. The auxiliaries must qualify the same as a regular member. The reason they do this training is tito be a good shot. he member has to know what to do if he or she is faced with a. situation. Auxilianes also go through extensive use of force training. Personally, TP don’t sce a problem with tightening up the program and going over the policies and practices that may need some revisions. But don’t take a perfectly viable pro- gram that has been in existence for many years and corally dismantle it by going 180 degrees the other way. Let's keep the program up to date, train our people and work together. This is community policing at its best! Keep digging! Rick Charron Ontario not j xford.net Friday, May 22, 1998 — North S Criticism of health coalition criticized Dear Edito Your criticism of the Coalition for a Healthy Community is misguided. I, at least, am glad that the Coalition for a Healthy Community is trving to preserve the village atmosphere of West Vancouver and prevent severe trattic problems from becoming traffic gridlock. This group arose because thousands in our com- munity were surprised and alarmed to hear what was being planned. Concern about traffic and the impacr on valued existing stores were and are our community’s biggest concerns, but are these not environmental issues? And ves, they are right to seek to preserve what litte bit of naturai environment is left in the heart of West Vancouver bv fighting against the introduction of the big box stores at Park Roval South. As we are coming to realize. most environmental issues are interrelated. Therefore, | applaud the coalition’s pursuit of an environmental assessment that can help us to know the trac costs of that which has been proposed. Hilda Duke West Vancouver MAILBOX POLICY LETTERS to the editor must be legible ip ten) and include your name, full address and te Submissions can be faxed to 985-2104. ~ Weekend Necessities! q Biking? Camping? Hi N : aan ; Sport utility, Yan & -_ Ask us about ‘Blue Ox’ Tow bars for AV'S! VASWE & Rack we ccueestowave- oven sat 2302-0 98-9908 4 y The Perfect Price Fills 521 reg $37 Full Sets 545 reg Su | (Neor Park Royal Hotel) é 922-4220... wx #12 + 636 Clyde Ave, West Vancouver” ° | wa Spring, Wedding? Take a look at our great selection of dresses, suits and coordinates perfect for that special event. THIS:-WEEKEND offer valid until May 31/98 When your windows show signs they need All window installations and renovations replacing, trust us to get the job done by our authorized BC Gas Inc. Homeworks” rigne. With our affordable financing contractors are quality-assured. Call options, the average home can have 895-3570 today to improve the comfort ;HOME RENOVATION. and energy-efficiency of your home. new windows for juse $108 a month? *Based on $4,900 financing wver 60 months, for a total of $6.465. OAC.