Ards and North Down TUV councillor Stephen Cooper went out on patrol with the Ards local policing team this weekend.
After Accompanying Sgt Gibson on a late shift former UDR soldier Cllr Cooper commented:
“I am determined to speak with and engage with our youth. A lot of negative publicity has been generated lately with reports of anti-social behaviour throughout the borough and I simply wanted to address this issue directly.
“I was disappointed that no young people came to a recent meeting in Ballygowan but, on reflection, I understand perhaps that it might have been a bit too formal and intimidating.
“To that end, I decided that I would be better going out and speak to our younger generation directly and I am grateful to my local PSNI team for allowing me to accompany them on patrol.
“We met and talked with young adults in Ards, Ballygowan and Comber and I felt my time out with the police helped to improve interaction between officers and those who possibly might have felt apprehensive about approaching or even conversing with the PSNI.
“I must also give credit to the street pastors, who provide a fantastic service to society ensuring our youth are looked after.
“It is vital we initiate communication with all of our residents and reach out to those who feel as though they are isolated or ignored.
“Tonight was interesting, and I will be repeating this exercise again as it gives me a real sense of what is going on in the area. Receiving a detailed briefing before deployment and the actual presence on the ground adds to my input on the Policing Community Safety Partnership which I view as a real conduit between communities and our forces of law and order.
“I will be meeting with my local youths this week in Comber and hope we can work together and build a sincere sense of community values in our towns and villages across the borough for the betterment of all.”