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“Being out walking and biking is brilliant.” said Cami. Saunders. who has been with the York Region- al Police for 22 years in various departments. including air support. ‘The vehicle is the biggest barrier introduced to policing. We see things we do not see in a car.“ “MW IS “I! “W TWO of the most common infrac- tions the officers witness on Main Street are-drivers talking on their cellphones or not wearing seat- belts. r {Within 10 minutes. about 10 drivers and passengers. in trucks and pickups. were spotted not wearing seatbclts. Before leaving the cafe for a walk along Main Street. Coast; Mum predicted he would see multiple scatbclt infractions by the driven of trucks and pickup truclm. A foot patrol officer's job is a deiicate balance between public relations with businesses and the locals. while ensuring those bleak- ing the law are dealt with appro- priatety. something suspicious, they become the firgt point of contact. “The law is the law." Cons! Musso said. Vandalism, ! drugs,fights top list in Stouffville Some days the officers pull every Wuhin IO minuta, about 10 driven and passavgrrs, in truck and pickups, m sported not Wearing mtbdts Fr'om n 1. One driver. Wt. htd to be pulled over. He had no seatbek on and his Italic! full of curbside tmsures was overflowing. It was the driver's lucky day - his trailer wag secure and he was let off with just a warning. While Coast. Musso explained to. the man why he was pufled over. (Joust. Saunders checked to ensure the trailer was safely secured to the truck. single non-law-abiding driver-over for a chat and maybe a ticket. Other times, as on this day. it was all about the mm- ing being yelled through the open vehicle window as it goes by, with most drivers immediately reach- ing for the seatbelt and waving backtotheofficen York Regional Police constables Std Musso (right) and Dave Saunders speak to the owner of. pickup truck on Main Street in Stouflvillc Wednesday morning. The officers cycled from Muldum where they also patrol areas on foot and bicycle. Const. Musso said their goal is not to. min people‘s lives “but at the sathe time. we want to make sure they’re learning from the experience". . By dealing with the cause and not just the end result. which is where the officers usually come in. Const. Saunders said this is more helpful than just hauling them of! to iail and putting them through the court system. When the two constables started this particular incarna- tion ofthc foot patrol unit. which also includes Main Street Union: ville. Main Street Markham. the Pacific Mall and Matkvill'e, thcv “Everybody‘s got a stury.’ Coast. Saunders said. “Why did (he or she) smoke thé join! today?” “Everyuuiy knows something and if they don’t know it. one of their friends does.” Coast: Saun- ders sa5_d. "metals information to be learned and gathered by every had one goal in.mind: intelii- gence gaâ€"theting.. * Area kids, according to Const. Saqnders. have also been known to get into garages looking for golf gear they can sell and then use that money to buy drugs. "People are worried (if) thou property is safe.“ he said of rm]! dents' biggesc fears. _ As of late. it been garbage mmbehgknockedowrimhc midâ€" dle of the night along Main 81mm ‘DWNKEN STUPIDI'W‘ Area kids. according to (20ml. Saunders. have also bccn known to get into garages lnnkjng for gun gear they can WI] and thh‘ ust‘ that money to buy drugs facet of the community,” Unlike some towns whch (rim - inal activity is high, Stouffville by comparison. is relatively quiet. The majority of incidents the two constables deal with involve drugs. fighting, vandalism and "drunken stupidity”. "A" PHOTOISUSK KOCKEISCHUDT