Grant is part of more than $2.5 million given by Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada
to public safety organizations across Canada
COBOURG, Ontario (August 31, 2023) – Cobourg Police Service members are now better equipped to handle emergencies and keep the Town of Cobourg safe thanks to a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada. The Foundation recognized our critical need and awarded us $25,677 to purchase a Can-Am Defender UTV.
On August 31, 2023, members of the Cobourg Police Service and Cobourg Police Services Board joined the Firehouse Sub Cobourg Management Team: Pritvanti Patel, Aadipkumar Pandya, Rohan Tank, Anjali Prajapati, Badal Patel, and Meet Patel to announce the grant.
Cheque presentation photo: (Left to Right) – Aadipkumar Pandya, Privanti Patel, Chief Paul VandeGraaf
“We are grateful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada and our local Firehouse Subs in the Town of Cobourg for providing us with this grant and positively impacting our community,” said Chief Paul VandeGraaf, Cobourg Police Service. “This grant provides our members with another tool to help keep the citizens of Cobourg safe. We look forward to deploying it in Cobourg, at the parks, beach, and trails.”
Quicker response to missing persons: The Can-Am Defender UTV will increase visual police presence while ensuring life-saving equipment is available in the UTV truck bed. Victoria Park Beach is at peak occupancy (May to September), and police respond to an average of six to seven missing children calls each weekend. Using the UTV side-by-side will help families find police quickly to facilitate rapid missing person response and coverage of larger areas in a search scenario.
Deter crime: Increased police presence through UTV patrols will reduce calls for vehicle theft, property theft, and public disturbances.
Better access to people in an emergency: Further, the UTV allows travel over rougher terrain, including sand and off-road scenarios, to access remote locations not accessible by vehicle to reach individuals in physical or mental distress. For instance, CPS responds to an average of six suicide calls annually on or around the train tracks. In most cases, officers must walk on foot, carrying potential life-saving equipment, in steep terrain to attend to the calls wasting valuable time.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada has awarded 306 grants to public safety organizations since 2015. This grant is one of 22 Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada awarded to public safety organizations during the most recent grant cycle. The 22 grants will provide critical lifesaving equipment valued at more than $518,000 across Ontario.
To donate and learn more, visit any Firehouse Subs restaurant or donate online at CanadaHelps.org.
Group Photo: (Left to Right)
Front – Meet Patel, Tanvi Patel, Kissan Patel, Constable Dustin McGrath
Middle – Constable Lito Peregrino, Constable Courtney Low, Piyush Patel, Aadipkumar Pandya, Adam Preston, Avish Patel, Premdasi Patel, Privanti Patel, Chief Paul VandeGraaf, Roger Ramkissoon, Joe Miller (V13 Policetech Accelerator), Dean Pepper (Vice-Chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board), Ron Kerr (Chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board), Auxiliary member Marie Rainville, Staff Sergeant John Linney, Auxiliary member Grahame Richardson, Sara Rutkowski (CPS M-HEART)
Back – Constable Damien Cunningham, Deputy Chief Jeff Haskins
ABOUT FIREHOUSE SUBS PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION OF CANADA
In 2005, the Firehouse Subs Founders established Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in the U.S. with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety organizations. Ten years later, with the opening of the first Canadian Firehouse Subs restaurant in 2015, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada was born and continues the mission of impacting the lifesaving capabilities of local heroes and their communities.
ABOUT COBOURG POLICE SERVICE
The Cobourg Police Service is a trusted community partner committed to quality policing that protects the safety, security and in turn, enhances the quality of life in the Town of Cobourg.The service is directed by Chief Paul VandeGraaf, supported by a robust team of senior administrators, uniformed and civilian members.
As its most valuable resource, the Cobourg Police Service takes pride in its members who each day strive to keep our community a safe place to live, work and play.
A Police Services Board, made up of five local members, provides civilian governance and policy direction. The Board operates under legislation and directives outlined by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. The Board ensures Cobourg Police has met all the Police Adequacy Standards and is a professional and complete police service meeting the needs of the community.
For more information, visit cobourgpoliceservice.com and follow us on social media @cobourgpolice.