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12-moe Canadien Champion, Friday, October 3, 1997 Cop board says chopper worth a trial run c-i ~ o ~ o c~ "t o ~ ma< t-i Board members also sopported an atitndrnent put îor ward by board riuieti Banry Quinn that the idea be contingent on the chairs of Halton and Hamilton- Wentworth raising money from corpora- tions and the community to pay for it. The cost of operating a helicopter equipped with a searchlight, infrared sys- temr, and communication gear in the two regions, four shifts per week is estimated at $489,000 per year - to be shared between both regions. Police officers won't pilot the helicopter but officers are to hc on hoard asý cultivation of narcotic charges by 500 per obst et es. The benefits ot the helicopter were laid out in a report on the proposai from Police Chief Peter Campbell. 'he helicopter is to: - Reduce the duration of high speed chases by police, . Cut response time to alarmn calîs by 25 per cent, - Reduce house break and enters, busi- ness break-ins, theft of vehicles and rob- beries aIl by 10 per cent and - Increase the number of possession and CANSIô WfeMroe reoyIecIjust one more woft i1rik cari each wiek fbr a year, m~ would -eam VhousancIe andI thousanc1s more cIoliar in oemnue6 5oft drink cane are made from recliny proqrm. 5o wvhen aluminum, the moet vaIuable you S a"a from home (andi material you can reobçIe. your Blue Qox mmember to Recbçin more canra insteacI of look for the nearSt mo-yIinM th=~n them in the gart7age, Mm-on the 5treet, at wor*, @?oa Io way towardt at school or take it home. coSry the coet of your Every oan counte! ÇSR0 By LISA TALLYN Special to Th e Ghamnpion By the end of next year I-lton police could have a helicopter in the sky scanning the region for criminals, missing persons and marijuana cropa. At a meeting in Georgetown recently the Halton Regional Police Services Board took a step towards launching the one-year pilot chopper programn by approving in principle the concept of a privately-funded joint air support programn with Hamilton- Wentworth. 'cent. Chief Campbell said the police depart- ment's air patrol program in Calgary has a 100 per cent apprehension rate in high speed porsuits. Board member Kelly Colin said he finds it difficult to believe the heli- copter will be able to meet the expected targets. "I don't think we can compare our situa- tion to Calgary," said Mr. Culin. "The proof will be in the pudding," said Chief Campbell. He said by operating the pro- gram on a lease basis it wîll be easy to, shut down if results aren't there. "It is useless if it (the helicopter) is not close," said Chief Campbell. He added the chopper would likely spend most of its lime in south Halton and downtown Hamilton.. Ini the rual areas it could be used ta spot marijuana crops. "I think there is probably a lot more marijuana grown up here (in north Halton) then we know about," said Chief Campbell. In light of the fact funding has be ta secured for the helicopter Chief Campbell said il likely wouldn't be in the air until midto late 1998. Going for a region seat t ram MALBOEUF on page 3 should look at ways to reduce spending. He said he believes in less govemment, including the abolishment of regional gov- ernment, 'and supports the reduction of town counicil froro the current Il members bo seven. He also said Milton must begin moving toward expansion - "a graduai controlled growth based on the capability of existing local water supplies. "The only expansion we have seen in Milton is the proposed introduction of 1,000 more prisoners int Maplehurst." At press time yesterday, no one else had filed to run for the position. Those who have indicated their candida- cies in the November municipal election include incumbents Art Melanson and Wally Hunter (Ward 2 councillor), incum- bents Ron Furik and John Challinor (Ward 4 councillor), incombent Barry Lee (Wards I and 3 regional councillor), incombent Brian Penman and Rick Day (Ward I councillor), Liven Gevaert and Irene Grier (Ward 3 cooncillor), Morray Inglis (Ward 3 hydro commissioner), Jack Robertson (Ward 4 hydro commissioner), Sharon Barklay (Ward I hydro commis- sioner), and Bill Rowney (Ward 2 hydro commissioner. s WUS CRAVUNS SWUMASER Friday & 5e5,deyn,,ghtt7:0059 S5 Sund.y -Thumdey nsghtly e 70 TOp' orf NIR FORCE"m ONE THE GAME iFday &S.t,dL%.ghtty e 7:00&:5 Sp. SIMPLE WISH