After 26 years of service provided by Inspector Don Taylor, Caronport now has a new policing service from the Moose Jaw RCMP after Taylor retired.

This past Wednesday, the Moose Jaw RCMP, village council, and Caronport Mayor Daniel Buck thought it was best that residents of Caronport meet with their new officer, especially since they wouldn't have their own "local" police.

"This is one thing that I thought was quite important and in speaking with the mayor, Dan Buck, that change can be difficult for people and we thought this was important to have an evening in a town hall forum to

Sgt. Schwartz (front) presenting to Caronport residents.be able to understand that services that the RCMP provide," Sgt. Tim Schwartz with the Moose Jaw RCMP explained.

While some members of the Moose Jaw RCMP are already acquainted with Caronport's volunteer fire department, as they both respond to crashes on the Number 1, it was still relatively new ground for residents of Caronport.

"Obviously after 26 years it's a change so there are uncertainty and questions but having Sgt. Tim Schwartz comes out and introduce his team and the other tools that they have to police our community," Mayor Buck said. "I think helps them understand the change and we'll have to continue to work through and build that relationship."

Members of the RCMP have already begun patrolling our neighbours to the West, and have familiarized themselves with the village and the schools.

They even have liaisons set up in schools to help with police presentations and be there for staff and students in a positive way. Basically, now the Moose Jaw RCMP are not only going to keep them safe, but they also want to have a bond built up, something which Sgt. Schwartz believes is already developing.

"I felt very welcomed by the community and I think that as we move forward we will definitely form some partnerships and definitely want also the community to support and assist us," Sgt. Schwartz said. "The more eyes and the ears that we have out and about with being able to share information is definitely a benefit to us to help keep their community safe."

The future of Caronport policing is still in the air though. Although they do have the RCMP keeping their community safe, they are still hoping for a local police service, or possibly their own RCMP in the future.

Right now, village council and Mayor Buck is looking forward to the new partnership. Especially with the safe driving presentations, the RCMP have presented to their community and any new presentation they plan to present in the future, or neighbourhood watch programs and presentations that could come up in the future.

"I think [the community is] comfortable with the process, where we're heading. It's still a transition so we're working through that but we've already seen [the RCMP] in our community and they've been into the college, Briercrest College, and the high school," Mayor Buck added. "So people are aware of their presence. We're starting off on a good note."