pouguets for the hoys in bl City as a cop for almost 30 years. During that time he Dresden Figurin 1637 Lonsdale Ave.. N. Van. eS 1730 Marine Drive, W. Van, 926-7716 PERHAPS it’s time to atively minor criminat offence. Whatever his fate may be, who lives and cares for Gur community and the neigh- take yon from the worid of organized crime end corruption and give you a peek into the world of the street cop in your | community. You sec, in North Vancouver, largely due to the cost of living, most of the Peopic who toil in our streets don’t actually tive here. They . Commute to our little corner of paradise to earn their daily crust. Fortunately for aff of us, whether they live here or not, they care. In taking this little look, Td like to toss a few bouquets * and, while I’m at it, a few brickbats, _. . Being a police officer i isa job like no other. At any given time you might be called upon io put yourself into the _ line of fire, into the danger "zone tone of us can even con- ceive of. In harmy’s way. It tak ecial calling todo the job, not only for the ‘ potential dangers of the job, but, toa large degree for the way the job is so‘all-encom- : passing, intruding into your * pr ate life as wel as your duty US, ; "North Vancouver’ Mountic |, Mare Sylvestre is'an exampfe of a dedicated officer who has made thé North Shore his home'and will do whatever he © to to protect his commu- crime and punishment Last Friday, his kids weren't in school because of yet another so-called profes- sional day. He thought he'd take a day’s feave to spend with his girls instead of leaving them with 4 sitter. While he was sipping his morning coffee, contempiat- ing his day, he spotted a ne’er- do-well cut of place in his quict Seymour neighbour- hood. Whiie most of us might not have taken natice of the individual, he put down his coffee and went outside to see what the guy was up to. Within short order he observed a theft from one of his neighbours’ yards and rhe Suspect continuing down the street looking for another tar~ get of opportunity. As the street rat was skuik- ing around another neigh- bour’s house sizing it up for 2 break-in, Constable Sylvestre “goflated the rat and held him down until on-duty officers arrived. The bad guy is facing a ‘charge of theft thanks to the diligence of an off-duty officer bourhood was spared being victimized by another punk trying to prove that Charles Darwin was correct. A bouquet to Constable Mare Sylvestre who showed that being a cop is more than just a job; it’s a commitment to your community. While T emphasize the pos itive, we can also toss a brick- bat at former Narth Van Mountie Scort Simpson, accused of trafficking marijua- na fo kids and filing to appear at a court hearing. Simpson was under suspi- cion for a number of months and the cups did their job despite the fact the target was one of ticir own. Too often the police are criticized for the so-called blue wall of silence, protecting other cops who may have crossed the line. The reality is underlined by tie Simpson case. While the case is before the - courts, I'm prohibited from discussing the details. Suffice to say, thase who worked with Simpson were shocked when they heard of the arrest of a - colleague, Then, when he failed to appear in court to face up to his accusers, he pushed t fine even further. He ran wo Onravio and dared the police tc come and get him, thinking the system wouldn’t issu 2 Canada-wide warrant for a rel- eats continues leg-hold teaps. ‘hese practices may not be popular -with the majority of “the people: on the. North Shore, : ut the “last time I “ Neoked,inost still, consumed “strychnine. or ; wack snapped ‘and, not, this province the "use of cruel “ghty in the ives, They eat cegs . laid: by. “