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The Bridgewater School Safety Resource Officer (SSRO) aims to build a trusting relationship between the police and youth from grades primary to twelve, in the hopes of assisting those youth at risk of offending, and those at risk of being victimized before an opportunity presents itself. Our focus is to be pro-active rather than reactive. The program combines education, investigation, law enforcement, counselling, crime prevention and community relations to meet the diverse needs of residents in the school community. The SSRO program’s users include students, staff, parents, the community and the Bridgewater Police. Our target population is the youth of the town of Bridgewater in attendance at the three schools under our jurisdiction. Through partnerships with the schools, Family Services, Restorative Justice and Parent/Teacher Advisory groups we hope to be able to maximize problem solving strategies and provide early intervention to at risk children. The student population in Bridgewater is approximately 1919. Between students and staff, the School Liaison Program will reach about 2200 individuals, more than a quarter of the population of Bridgewater. Partnerships between parents, schools and outside agencies should help build and establish communal support for youth at risk.
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