By Samantha Cantelon
The city of Belleville’s recently launched a program known as the Volunteer Response Team or the “Yellow Jackets,” but some people seem to be unaware of what exactly this team is doing and where they are.
“The only yellow jacket that I have seen is the one that I own and wear to work on a daily basis, and I’m not a member of any yellow jacket organization,” said Richard Belanger, owner of Scalliwag Toys located on Front Street.
“We have been down there, so its possible they haven’t seen us. We plan to be more active moving forward, but realistically they’re all volunteers so it’s when they can,” said Matt Palmer, who is one of the team’s lead volunteers.
According to Rene Aubertin, constable and community policing liaison officer, during the month of December, volunteers were downtown approximately 14 hours and in January about 26 hours.
“Lots of the volunteers within this team have full time jobs and families, so when possible they go out downtown with their bright yellow jackets,” said Aubertin.
The team is committed to being the eyes and ears for Belleville police in the downtown area. They are responsible for talking with storeowners about any issues as well as helping people walking on the streets of Belleville.
“All of the jackets and t-shirts were fundraised through the community policing group,” said Aubertin. “The response team also carries with them a first aid kit and reports back to the police about any issues being brought up by citizens.”
“The Belleville response team is one aspect of the community that greatly enhances Belleville police services by providing additional eyes and ears on our downtown core, enhancing the relationship between Belleville police service responses from the businesses downtown as well the community at large,” said the chief of police, Cory McMullan.