halton police

Halton Police RIDE Program Kicks off December 4th

Mike Cluett
From the news release

Halton Regional Police Service to Launch Holiday R.I.D.E. Campaign December 4th

The Halton Regional Police Service will commence this year’s holiday R.I.D.E. campaign on December 4th at Thomas A. Blakelock High School in Oakville.

The Service has once again partnered with local students, businesses and community organizations for the sixth year to offer “RIDE 101”, a program designed to educate drivers, particularly young and future drivers of the importance and responsibility while driving and the consequences associated to mixing alcohol or drugs and operating a motor vehicle.

High schools from across the Region will be participating in the program, including:

Milton District High School – 396 Williams Avenue, Milton – December 5th

Burlington Central High School – 1433 Baldwin Street, Burlington – December 13th

Acton District High School – 21 Cedar Road, Acton – December 14th

The official launch will take place at Thomas A. Blakelock High School, 1160 Rebecca Street, Oakville, where Halton Police RIDE 101 officers will team up with students from Thomas A. Blakelock to distribute RIDE 101 educational information, provide students an opportunity to test roadside screening devices and put all students through a series of simulated ‘road side’ sobriety tests during a fun, yet educational format.

The night component will entail members of the student council assisting designated officers in speaking with drivers of stopped vehicles during a R.I.D.E. spot check and distributing ‘Think of Me’ cards and information pamphlets on the consequences of impaired driving. The ‘Think of Me’ cards are hand-drawn and coloured by grade four, five and six students and reflect on that child’s perception of drinking and driving.

The daytime component will be held within the school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the spot checks will be conducted from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. out front of the school.

The Halton Regional Police are grateful for the community partners who are supportive of this worthy endeavour, including: the Halton Catholic District School Board, the Halton District School Board, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (M.A.D.D.), McDonald’s restaurants and Tim Horton’s.

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Here is an article from Inside Halton outlining more details to the program.

Champion Editorial RE Vandalism at Hawthorne Village

Mike Cluett

Here is a recent Milton Canadian Champion Editorial outlining details of a recent graffiti attack on portables at Hawthorne Village PS.

I know there is no shortage of concern on behalf of many parents with kids who attend HVPS and other schools in town when this happens.  Many of you have called and emailed recently to find out what the status is on this and from what i can tell you, the investigation continues and will continue until the culprits are found.  All I have to say about this incident is that it’s disgusting….period.  Full stop.

We have to keep an eye out for this type of behaviour.  If parents have any information, they are urged to call the Halton Police right away to make sure things like this end.

Here is the article.

Graffiti vandalism simply won’t be tolerated

We hope an arrest is made soon in a recent incident of graffiti vandalism so a strong message is sent to the public that this type of behaviour won’t be tolerated, especially when it involves racial slurs.

In early October, graffiti was written all over the walls of two portables at Hawthorne Village Public School.

Halton Regional Police said there were a variety of racial slurs and inappropriate phrases directed at identifiable groups written on walls.

A fire extinguisher was also discharged.

So far, no suspects have been arrested.

While some ridiculously argue that graffiti is simply “artistic expression,” it’s clear that Halton police — and the general population, we believe — view graffiti for what it is: vandalism.

And when it involves racial slurs, it can become a hate crime in the eyes of the law.

Graffiti has nothing to do with ‘art’.

It’s the defacing of public and private property. It’s the willful destruction of property. It’s an eyesore. It is a blight on the community.

According to Halton police, over the past year the service has received about 40 to 50 complaints from community members upset about damage caused to their businesses and residences.

Graffiti isn’t a victimless crime — far from it.

It’s especially hurtful when it involves derogatory  remarks against a race or community. It’s an expensive crime that impacts the property owner due to the damaged caused.

We hope if an arrest is made, police will seek financial restitution for the victims of graffiti, and that they’re successful.

Milton Police Blotter – January 6 2011

Mike Cluett

Milton Police Blotter

A home on Commercial Street saw its Christmas decorations, including an inflatable Santa Claus two snowmen and a string of lit candy canes, dragged across the lawn and damaged  overnight last Thursday.

The estimated damage was $300.

The following night, inflatable Christmas decorations — including a Santa Claus, penguins and a glowing candy cane display — were among the items stolen from a Pettigrew Trail home.

Also stolen were a set of power cords and electrical boxes. The items’ estimated value was $300.

House broken into

A home on Sixth Line was broken into between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

During the incident, the front door was forced open and a laptop, an Olympus camera, Blackberry charger and $86 worth of coins were taken.  The total estimated value was $1,000.

Impaired charge laid

A 19-year-old Milton woman was charged with blowing over 80 after she allegedly tried to avoid a R.I.D.E. program on Main Street and Martin Street at 11:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve.

Car stolen and recovered

A grey Honda Pilot worth an estimated $35,000 was stolen from a residence on Lancaster Boulevard overnight December 23.  The 2010 vehicle with plates AMYM 442 was later found in good condition near Pearson International Airport.

Thief targets unlocked vehicle

An iPod Nano, Christmas gift certificates and loose change were stolen from an unlocked vehicle overnight December 23.  The incident occurred on Norris Circle.

GPS taken from car

Overnight December 23, a TomTom GPS was stolen from a car in Ramshaw Court.  The device is valued at $450.

Belongings stolen

Items including Oakley sunglasses, a Garmin GPS and an iPod were taken from an unlocked vehicle on Stevenson Street overnight December 23.  The items have a combined value of roughly $500.

Briefcase and wallet stolen

Overnight December 23, a TomTom GPS was taken from an unlocked vehicle on First Line.  Also stolen was a black denim briefcase, which included a wallet, identification and credit cards.

Three thefts from vehicles

On Monday, an iPod Touch, worth $350, a $20 note and five CDs, and a wallet were stolen from cars on Trudeau Drive, Menefy Place and Dolby Crescent.

Wallet stolen from car

A woman’s Guess wallet was stolen from a car overnight December 23.  The wallet contained identification and debit cards.

Coins taken from vehicle

Between December 23 and 24 two vehicles parked in a driveway on Allan Crescent were entered.  Loose change was taken from both vehicles.

Halton Police Update

Mike Cluett

File this one under REALLY?  So far this year Halton Police have laid almost 300 impaired driving charges. 

“Halton police report that since Jan. 1, 2010, 295 drivers on Halton roads have been arrested for impaired driving. A total of 123 impaired charges have been laid in Burlington followed by 87 in Oakville, 49 in Milton and 36 in Halton Hills. Police say that of the 13 traffic fatalities recorded in the region this year, alcohol was a contributing factor in four of them.”

It seems that with the increased awareness of the problem and more RIDE programs set in place, some people are not getting the message.  13 people in Halton died unnecessarily in my opinion.  Drinking and driving is totally preventable.  Just dont do it!

After our Milton Community Policing Committee meeting earlier this week, Const. Floyd said that Halton Police will be starting the RIDE program for this holiday season and will be out in full force.

It doesnt take that much of an extra effort to do the right thing.  The Champion article outlines a number of things you can do to help make our roads safer.

• If you plan to drive, don’t drink

• Choose a sober designated driver before partying

• Take public transit, a taxi or ask a friend to drive you home

• Spend the night where the activity is being held

• Immediately report impaired drivers to police

• Always wear your seat belt

Do the right thing…and help make this holiday season safer for everyone.  There are very few people who have had their lives affected by drinking & driving.  Either you know someone personally or know of someone who has lost a friend or loved one due to this totally preventable crime.

If you see someone who shouldnt be driving, try to stop them.  If not, call 911.  You could be saving a life!

And continuing with my previous post on Lock it or Lose it here is another article from the Milton Canadian Champion on unattended vehicles being stolen from peoples driveways.

Unattended, idling vehicles become stolen vehicles: police

Don’t let that warm car result in a cold walk this winter.As the Christmas season and the cold weather have returned, Halton Regional Police are issuing reminders to residents about precautionary measures they can take to prevent their valuables, including their vehicle, from being stolen.

Police say that between Nov. 3, 2009 and Jan. 14, 2010, 25 vehicles were stolen in Halton that had been left unattended and idling by their owners. Fifteen of those thefts occurred in Milton in the Derry Road community.

In Milton, leaving a vehicle unattended with the engine running is illegal under a town by-law and could result in a $75 fine.  An unattended running vehicle that is locked, even if it is in your driveway or in your garage, is still a target for thieves.

Police also warn about leaving car doors open or any items in plain view wherever you park your vehicle.

“Crimes of opportunity occur when we don’t take the necessary precautions such as locking our vehicles and placing items out of sight,” said a Halton police press release.

While there is no guarantee against becoming a victim of vehicle theft, or having your vehicle broken into, Halton police offer the following safety tips:

• Park in well-lit and attended areas

• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. Turn off the ignition and take the keys with you

• Always lock all doors and windows

• Never leave personal identification or valuables in your vehicle. Lock all valuables in the trunk. Don’t tempt thieves by leaving packages, cameras or purses in plain view

• Remove GPS navigation and cellphone devices when not in your vehicle

• Mount CD and MP3 players inconspicuously

• If you have a garage, use it and lock your car

• Never hide a spare key in your car

For more crime prevention ideas, visit www.haltonpolice.ca and follow the link to Community Policing.

And to illustrate this even further, here is this weeks Milton Police Blotter from the Champion.

BMW stolen while left warming

A 2006 BMW 325 valued at $30,000 was stolen from a driveway after the owner left it idling before his drive to work.  The incident on Huffman Crescent took place at 5:15 a.m. Monday.

Computer equipment taken from school

Overnight Monday, a portable classroom at St. Peter Catholic Elementary School on Dixon Drive was broken into.  During the incident a laptop computer and two Alpha Smart keyboards were taken.  Their estimated value is $2,200.

Car stolen during the day

A 2008 white Ford Edge was taken between noon and 9 p.m. November 17.  The car had been parked on Main Street East.

Milton Community Police Committee Update

Mike Cluett

As regular readers of the blog will know, I am a member of the Milton Community Policing Committee (MCPC)and we have monthly meetings about community outreach with the Halton Police Department and promote programs to help raise awareness of safety / crime issues in Halton.

Its been reported recently that despite the massive growth in the area, Halton remains the safest community in Canada. I think that’s a direct result of the officers in Halton and the great job they do.

During our meeting last night, they reported on some recent statistics of different crimes that are on the rise. A majority of them included car theft / property theft from peoples driveways.

In the last couple of weeks, Halton Police have had several incidences of vehicle theft as people start their cars in the morning and leave them unattended. Its important for people to realize that even though our community is “safe” there are still people from both inside and outside the region who are on the prowl looking for opportunities.

The MO of many of them are driving around neighbourhoods looking for unattended cars that are running, quickly checking to see if they are unlocked and driving off with them. The best line of defense is to either not let your car warm up unattended and unlocked or invest in an automatic car starter that locks the doors while its running.

Another disturbing trend is property theft from vehicles. People leave valuables like cell phones, wallets, laptops etc in plain view and that’s just too much of a temptation for criminals to do the quick smash and grab. The Halton Regional Police force are now embarking on a campaign to help raise awareness of this called “Lock it or lose it”

From the Halton Police website:

Lock It or Lose It

With the holiday season on the horizon, the Halton Regional Police Service would like to remind citizens to be cognizant and diligent by locking their vehicles and hiding valuable items.

Adhering to the following proactive recommendations may deter thieves from stealing your valuables:

1. Locking your vehicle and removing all valuable items from plain view. Items such as: GPS units, laptops, wallets, cellular phones and any other item of monetary value.

2. Simply locking your vehicle while valuable items are still visible inside provides a false sense of security. Thieves will smash the windows in order to gain quick access to these valuables.

3. Be particularly cognizant when purchasing expensive electronic equipment and then storing it in your vehicle. The best alternative is to transport these items directly to your home. If this is not a feasible option, lock the valuable item in the trunk of your vehicle.

4. Do not leave your vehicle running, unlocked and unattended while warming up in the driveway. Thieves have stolen vehicles from various driveways while they have been left operating unattended.

Don’t enable these thieves to steal your valuable items. Remove the opportunity and reduce your likelihood of being victimized.

Anyone with suspect information or information pertaining to any thefts is asked to call the Burlington Criminal Investigations office at 905-825-4747 extension 2316 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

One of the things that the MCPC will be doing in the coming weeks is handing out brochures with this information at high traffic areas like shopping malls, GO Station, grocery stores etc to help remind people to be aware of the surroundings and to do what they can to make it difficult for these types of crimes to happen.  We will be working with the principals of Milton schools to see if they can help distribute this information as well so it gets in the hands of people.

The Committee is always looking for more volunteers to help out and to join us and help take part in initiatives like this to help raise awareness in our own neighbourhoods.  There have been quite a few new people joining us and we’re always looking for more.  There are a lot of ideas that we would like to implement and the more people we have helping us out the better.  Send me an email mike@mikecluett.ca if you are interested in joining the MCPC.  We meet monthly and combined with our activities its not a lot of time to spend, but it is worthwhile.

You can find out more about the programs of the Halton Police on their website www.haltonpolice.ca