Walking the Whyte Avenue Beat with Constables Dennis Dalziel and Ian McFatridge, one soon becomes keenly aware of the fact that Edmonton’s streets are home to a lot of people.
Dalziel and McFatridge know homeless Edmontonians – people who wander the streets day and night.
“You’d be surprised at the number of young people, kids, who wander the streets, sleep in ravines, and utilize the Youth Drop-in Centre,” observed McFatridge.
Just then, the two Constables stopped to chat with a young couple sitting outside of the Centre. They exchanged a few kind words with the couple and then continued on with their beat.
Both Dalziel and McFatridge are all too familiar with the faces of homeless Edmontonians. And, both constables have invested time and effort into getting to know people that call the streets home.
“How are you today, Ricky?” Dalziel asks a slight, tired looking man, who nonetheless flashes a big grin at both officers. Ricky proceeds to explain that it’s been a good day so far, and he’s on his way to work.
A bit further down the block, Dalziel and McFatridge introduce themselves to a new face on the street. They ask how long he’s been in town, and how things are going for him. This individual responds in a friendly manner that he’s okay, and then poses beside Dalziel as McFatridge snaps a photo of the two of them.
McFatridge explains that the relationships they’ve built with the people on the street can be very beneficial in the fight against crime.
“When we treat people with kindness and respect, they’re more likely to help us out when we need information – information that could point us in the direction of solving a crime,” noted McFatridge.
The Whyte Avenue beat is all about relationships.