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OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 11, 2009 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 845-3824, ext. 224 Circulation: 845-9742 Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Home sweet home If you live in Halton, it likely came as no surprise to hear last week that, for the second year in a row, Halton was named the safest place in which to live in the Greater Toronto Area and the safest regional municipality in Canada, according to Maclean's magazine's 2009 crime ranking of the country's most dangerous cities. Here in the GTA, violent crime is no stranger to Toronto and its surrounding regions, but Halton has not -- thank goodness -- experienced a similar alarming level of crime. According to the Maclean's survey out of 100 places, with No. 100 having the least crime, Halton ranks 66th for murder, 74th for motor vehicle theft, 76th for robbery, 81st for aggravated assault, 92nd for break and enter and 97th for sexual assault. "To directly attribute the crime rate in any community, whether positive or negative, solely to the efforts of police would be inaccurate and unfair," said Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell. "What this Maclean's ranking does do is validate that our officers, civilians, volunteers, local politicians and community partners are all equally committed to keeping Halton as safe tomorrow as it is today." Yet the Halton police service should be commended, especially for establishing proactive programs such as the recently-developed domestic violence unit and its involvement in other programs such as SmartRisk (an internationally-recognized program geared to teenagers that promotes awareness of the consequence of risk) and DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Halton police have strong ties to the various communities throughout the region and work in partnership with groups, listening to concerns and working toward finding solutions. This past year, several Halton officers gained international and provincial recognition. "As police, we're privileged to work in a region where local residents, municipalities and business owners want to work collaboratively with us and they are all keen to do their part to prevent and deter crime," said Crowell. As Halton residents, we are privileged, too, that our local police service, under Crowell's leadership, has worked diligently toward deterring crime and making the region a great place to call home. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR zens pay respect to someone who deserves it the most. Today, I am proud to be part of a town that demonstrates its pride and respect for The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Thanking a hero makes student proud to be in Oakville It is just after 11 on a dark March morning. It is cold. As I begin to drive over the Dorval overpass, I notice emergency vehicles stopped, lights flashing. I see no accident. All of the vehicles are aligned, their crews on the bridge, looking to the east. Off to the left, a man stands. In his hands a flag is clasped. My friends and I realize together what is going on. A hero is coming home. We pick up lunch in the plaza and head back to the car, ready to drive to school. As we drive along North Service, I notice the Fourth Line bridge. Another bridge, awash in the red, white and blue of the firetrucks, police cruisers, and ambulances. Third Line is the same. We pick up my friend's bag from his house, but head back to the bridge at Third Line. On the top of a fire truck, firefighters stand. Clutched in their hands, an unfurled flag flutters in the wind. People have stopped and pulled over, their cars filling the shoulders. It is more than just us now. Many people are beside us. They are coming now. The westbound traffic thins and the silence is eerie. Oncoming are three sets of lights. Red, white and blue. The silence is broken by the clapping of those we share our bridge with. The silence is broken by the wail of sirens as the procession drives past. Today I stood by a bridge as a hero was brought home. Today I watched my fellow citiour soldiers and a citizen of this country that they protect. Stand easy, soldier. We shall never forget. KYLE BURROWS This week's poll This week's question is: According to Maclean's magazine, Halton is the safest place to live in the GTA. Does this make you feel safer? · Yes · No To vote, visit oakvillebeaver.com Last week's poll: Should action be taken to protect residents from coyotes in urban areas? · Yes 24% · No 76% Total votes: 45 votes Salute well deserved I was amongst the police, fire and EMS personnel who gathered with the many members of the public on the QEW overpasses to pay tribute to fallen soldier, Dennis Brown of St. Catharines, as his motorcade passed through Oakville on Tuesday. I am saddened by his loss, but also proud of his sacrifice. I am touched by the other Oakvillians who took the time off to pay their respects and honour this fallen hero. GARY MARK The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.