Editor, the Times:

Hats off to the APD for their unique Christmas card approach to fighting crime.

I'll admit that I was pleasantly surprised to see that at least three people responded positively to the invitation to contact police (Times, Jan. 8); for a cost of $325 you were able to help

three known criminals turn from being a drain on our city to perhaps positive contributors.

Who knows the net benefit of such a small investment?

A reformed criminal has to be better than an incarcerated one.

From tailing gang-members, 24/7 camera surveillance of gangster's homes, Operation Lodestar, Junior Police Academy and many other initiatives, you have continued to come up with remarkably fresh, innovative and effective approaches to policing.

Congratulations!

Jim Burkinshaw Abbotsford