Jane and Finch youth join Toronto’s police officers to celebrate Caribana

29 July 2010 No Comments

Officers in feathered headdresses, celebrity basketball players doing television interviews and the sounds of the Caribbean floating through the air. It’s the sights and sounds of Caribana hitting the Jane and Finch area with a newfound gusto to celebrate an innovative partnership between cops and community.

“Although the Toronto Police Service has been involved with the Caribana community for quite some time, we decided it was time to take things a step further,” says 53 Division superintendent Sam Fernandes. “This is the first time we decided to get involved with the mas band, where we get young kids to design and develop their own costumes.”

Caribana fever has indeed infected the boys in blue, making the generally-stern officers share smiles in anticipation of the big day. Officer Rodcliff Chung, a constable with the mobilization unit, was especially happy to see the children’s enthusiasm. “It really makes me feel good,” he says. “I just have a passion to work with kids. I love to see kids smile, be happy and involved. Getting the children involved means more than playing mas for the day and more than having pizza once the day’s work is over.”

Chris Campbell is a member of the Carpenters and Allied Workers union, which financially supports this new initiative. He agrees that a long-term cultural engagement strategy must be in place if children from at-risk areas like Jane and Finch are to become successful community contributors. “This will help the kids in the long run because it will keep them in tune with their history, their culture, and where they’re coming from,” Campbell says.

“It makes sense that if you are from the Caribbean and there’s a Caribana event, you encourage your kids to participate and be a part of it. It just goes to show that as much as it takes a community to make children’s costumes, it also takes the entire community working together to build their future.”