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Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Peel Regional Police & Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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Annual General Meeting 2007

As the YYZ Airport Watch approaches its third anniversary this coming April, looking back, we sure have come a long way. In that time the committee have had several meetings with various authorities, organized and participated in various tours around YYZ and southern Ontario, and created a credible and respected organization for local aviation enthusiasts. None of these events thus far have been able to accommodate the entire membership, and none has been as important as this, our first general meeting. The meeting would allow all members to finally gather under one roof at the same time. With a membership of 125, this required a sizeable venue and what better location than the Toronto Aerospace Museum at Downsview Park.

Invitations were sent out to the authorities with whom we've worked with over the past three years, this includes The GTAA, Peel Regional Police, RCMP, and CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency). Each were asked if they could send a delegate to give a presentation to our members on their respective agencies role in airport safety and security and how Airport Watch can and does assist in these roles. The response was encouraging, all but one accommodated our request.

What's a meeting without an audience? Our members came through in flying colours. A little more the half of all members attended, really showing the commitment, dedication, and true belief we all have in the YYZ Airport Watch. This was the first time that so many members were able to meet at the same time in one place. The venue for the meeting was just perfect. Surrounded by the numerous historic aircraft on display throughout the Museum, members made the most of the day by viewing and inspecting all the aircraft prior to and after the guest speakers presentations. Refreshments and a rather large birthday cake were purchased to help celebrate the day. To show our appreciation to the members, draws were held for 3 door prizes. The lucky three were;

Mr. Nigel Walker - $20.00 gift certificate from Threshold Aviation
Mr. Mike Ody - $20.00 gift certificate from Aviation World
Mr. Derek Horsey - 1 year membership for the Toronto Aerospace Museum

On behalf of all members of YYZ Airport Watch, the committee would like to thank the following for attending, speaking, and helping make at our meeting a success.

Cpl Jacques Brunelle & Cst Jennifer George - RCMP
Sgt Allen Gorrill - Peel Regional Police
Ms Patrizia Giolti - Canada Border Services Agency
Mr. Paul Cabot & staff - Toronto Aerospace Museum

Below are brief summaries and photos that capture the events of the meeting.

RCMP

National Airport Watch Coordinator and founder Jacques Brunelle gave a fine presentation outlining the merits and benefits of a local airport watch program. Jacques explained how the airport watch concept came about in Ottawa back in 2000. Recognizing that aviation enthusiasts have a vast knowledge of day to day operations at airports, this knowledge could be beneficial. Rather then play cat and mouse with enthusiasts, authorities are quickly realizing that aviation enthusiasts can play a passive role in helping promote airport security, the key for members is to Observe, Record, and Report any suspicious activity. Lending further credibility to the program is the fact that any applicant must complete and pass a police check prior to being granted membership status. By promoting and supporting a local airport watch program, authorities, and members alike, have an open line of communication between each other. This allows both parties to convey any concerns or immediate relevant issues with one another. The program is gaining popularity and has attracted attention from as far away as Australia and Europe. Back here in Canada, Calgary is the third airport to adopt Airport Watch with Vancouver and Edmonton actively working at getting set up. It really is a win-win situation.

Also representing the RCMP was Constable Jennifer George of the Federal Enforcement Section at YYZ. Jennifer looks after the police checks for our members and liaises with Sgt Al Gorrill of Peel Regional Police.

Peel Regional Police

Many of our members have had some interaction with the men and women of the airport division of Peel Regional Police. Our key liaison at Peel Police, Sgt Gorrill, did a superb job of explaining the role and function of keeping the airport safe and secure from criminal elements.

Acknowledging that it can be a fine line between keeping things orderly and respecting our desire to harmlessly sit and watch airplanes, they have a job to do. Sgt Gorrill did mention that thanks to our caps, jackets, ID cards, dash banners we have become more recognizable. Day to day events and traffic concerns will effectively tie their hands at times and we will be asked to move along from time to time. In such cases Sgt Gorrill advised that we leave the area and come back a little while later.

Canada Border Services Agency

Representing the CBSA was Communications Director Patrizia Giolti. Ms Giolti gave a very informative presentation on the CBSA's mandate which includes;
  • managing the nation's borders
  • apply legislation relating to entry and exit of all goods and individuals
  • provide regulatory services and controls and Canada's borders
  • advancing Canadian economic competitiveness

Airport Watch members can play an active role in paying attention and looking out for persons passing objects/packages over fences and/or persons talking to airport employees through perimeter fences. Remember that we are not confront individuals, observe, record, and report!!
Photos courtesy of Glenn Steplock
   

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