Project L.E.A.R.N. message received

London Police Service's Project Liquor Enforcement and Reduction of Noise (LEARN) are calling it quits, for now.

Surrounding areas around Fanshawe College, the University of Western Ontario and the downtown core, have been heavily targeted by London Police, who ended patrol May 2nd.

According to Amy Phillipo, a Media Relations officer with the London Police Unit, Project L.E.A.R.N. experienced a great deal of co-operation from London residents, which left officers pleased as the project came to a halt.

Project L.E.A.R.N. enforces tougher bylaw enforcements and increases fines where necessary.

Upon completion of the spring Project L.E.A.R.N., which began April 15, 2009, London Police officers laid 419 Provincial offences and By-law offences and 35 Criminal Code charges were distributed.

Of the total charges laid, 307 were students and 147 were nonstudents.

This spring criminal charges were up and provincial offenses were limited, added Phillipo.

An important component of the spring term of Project L.E.A.R.N was a hand delivered message regarding behaviour expectations, reported Police.

“We received a lot of great feedback from residents,” said Phillipo about going door-to-door sending the message to all residents of what the city's expectations were regarding the Project.

According to Phillipo, there was a decrease in violations during the Spring Project L.E.A.R.N. and a significant reduction in large gatherings was the norm.

The London Police Service wants to acknowledge the support of both educational institutions as well as both student councils support of this project.

Adding, without their help and involvement our task would be much more difficult. Also our appreciation to the City of London Municipal Law Enforcement and Environmental Services for proactively dealing with discarded items to reduce fire hazards.

Project L.E.A.R.N. consists of the Police order unit, the C.O.R.E unit and other officers who are called upon when need arises.

Project L.E.A.R.N. will address similar behaviour in the fall of 2009.

Quick facts:

- In the spring of 2008, there were 374 Provincial offenses

- Spring of 2008, 41 Criminal charges were distributed

- On Sunday April 19, 2009 the fire department was called to a residence on Fleming Dr. The suspicious fire to a shed was estimated at $10,000 in damage