b'KIDS & COPSChildren and police officers enjoying a day of fishing at CBM Aggregates McMillan Pond near Aberfoyleintegrated from egg to plate, so we also have a hatchery, Izumi says.potentially bringing about positive changes for them, their families We go right from eggs to fingerlings to mature fish for market. Weand the broader community. Its an event where cops and kids can have stocking programs; we sell fish for stocking private ponds. bond together and just create a good relationship, says Doxey. This year we reached out to the Brant Avenue Neighbourhood Group. We The event paired Guelph Police Service officers with youth fromhad about 20 youth, and their parents came with them. Having that the Brant Avenue Neighbourhood Group. It was not the first timeopportunity to mentor them allows the police service to increase that Guelph Police were involved. Weve been doing this since 2012, sayscommitment to enhancing the quality of life while contributing to the Inspector David Doxey, who works with the Neighbourhood Servicespositive growth of the community.Division of the Guelph Police Service. It had always been a hobby of mine, and still is. I always enjoyed it. We work with kids who wouldntNEW EXPERIENCESnormally have the opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing. We alwaysItsespeciallyimpactful,addsIzumi,fornewCanadians.Thisis reach out to the youth centres or the neighbourhood groups that workincreasingly important for new immigrants because many have had no with children. exposure to sport fishing and some of them are coming from cultures Besides simply creating an enjoyable day for all involved, pairingwhere the sight of someone in uniform is a scary thing, he says. The police officers with neighbourhood children has many added benefitsreward is the smiles we see on their faces and the pride in being able to for both the participants and their community. All the studies sayenhance the quality of their life. Then theres the fun of the sport. At that fishing is one of the best activities for a kid because its one ofMcMillan I think 80 per cent of them caught their very first fish, while the few activities where a kid can outperform an adult, Doxey says.100 per cent of them caught fish, Izumi says.Some of the kids who come out to that event can really use that. The expression on their faces and that sense of achievement make theI think every one of them caught at least a dozen fish, adds May. entire event worthwhile. The bluegills were very accommodating. We fed them hamburgers and sausages, and it was about as good a day as you could getIn addition, connecting with police in a relaxed and happy waysunny with a light breeze and about 20 degrees. It was a perfect day may be something that stays with a child for a long time afterwards,allaround.WINTER 2024AVENUES 29'