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Regent Park Neighbourhood Community Officers Interview, April 2024
By Dimitrije Martinovic
Dimitrije is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE.
We last spoke with Neighbourhood Community Officers Farzad Ghotbi and Mircea Biga in February of 2024. Since our last update Regent Park has seen its fair share of developments, both uplifting and challenging. Despite the community's valiant efforts, a recent shooting has cast a somber shadow over the neighbourhood, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of continued vigilance and support.
In response to this tragedy, the Toronto Police Service has redoubled its commitment in Regent Park to prioritize both mental health support and implement preventative measures aimed at safeguarding the well-being of all residents. For example, Officer Ghotbi informed RPTV that Toronto Police Service 51 Division has a 24 hour dedicated scout car patrolling the streets of Regent Park.
Shifting focus to the recent events surrounding the pro-Palestinian demonstration, Neighbourhood Community Officers noted that the demonstration had sparked important conversations about de-escalation tactics and collaboration between law enforcement and community leaders. In response, 51 Division is committed to working hand in hand with esteemed leaders like City Councillor Chris Moise to prevent instances of alleged police brutality and ensure the safety of both protesters and officers during future demonstrations.
The official Government of Canada definition of Community Policing reads as follows: “Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.”
(https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/lbrr/archive/cnmcs-plng/cn32080-eng.pdf)
Beyond this official definition on community policing, there are the community police officers themselves, Farzad Ghotbi and Nircea Biga, who have embraced their work and the potential that exists to breakdown barriers and forge new alliances between the police and area residents.
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FOCUS Media Arts Centre (FOCUS) is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1990 to counter negative media stereotypes of low income communities and provide relevant information to residents living in the Regent Park area and surrounding communities.
We seek to empower marginalized individuals and under represented communities to have a voice, through the use of professional training, mentorships and participatory based media practices that enable the sharing of stories, experiences and perspectives on relevant matters and issues. In brief our mandate is to empower marginalized individuals and under-serviced communities to have a voice and tell their own stories.
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