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H AMetroland Comxnunity Newspaper Vol. 140 No. 13 Tuesday, April 27, 1999 40 Pages 750 (GSTmicluded) Photo by GRAHAM PAINE SCatch of the day Justin Tutt, 11, shows off hie Catch of the day, a half-pend speckl.d trout, durIng the MIII Pond Plshing Derby Saturday. Hundreds of ares youngt.rs came out for the annuel ovant te enjoy a day of fres flshlng. ~/Hot car spot A car tief chose the Gardon Fo Service parking lot as a drop-oft and pick-up point for stolen vehicles. The culprit left a 1988 Plymouth Sundance stolen tram Burlington in the lot April 19 and then took a dark green 1992 Chevrolet Blazer. The Blazer was recovered on the Hamilton mountain at Limeridge Mail. The thief also attempted ta steel e 1991 Chevrolet pick-up truck, but only managed ta take the sterea. *RevilQn Shoppert» Dru-g Mart *Zellers NYouths are facing some stiff charges after park fracas Three Milton youths face charges after a 13-year-old male was roughed up and robbed near Rotary Park Friday night. 'he victimt was riding his bike on Martin Street, just north of Main Street, shortly after 8 p.m. when he was approached by three youths. The youths demanded hîs basebaîl cap and when he refused he was pushed off bis bike and assaulted by the trio, police said. One of the youths threatened to shoot him, but no gun was seen. They then took the bike and Ieft. A short time later, the victim located his bike and police were called. Officers attended the ares and located one suspect. Two others were arrested a short time later. No wespon was fnund. The suspects were known to the victim, said Det. Sgt. Jackie Gordon. A I 7-year-old youth faces charges of robbery, theft under $5,000, assault threat- ening death and breach of probation. A 15- year-old youth is charged with robbery, assault and theft under $5,000. The pair were held for bail hearings yesterday. Another 15-year-old youth is charged with theft under $5,000 in connection with the incident. He will appear in court May 21. Police board looks inward after Colorado By HOWARD MOZEL Special ta The Champion While there's no way to say with absolute certain- ty a tragedy like the Columbine High School shoot- ings can't happen here, Halton's police chief main- tains the chances are far more remote than in the United States. happen here although it's les likely," said Çhief Ean Algar. "I think we're a pretty safe society." Canada is a far less violent society in general, Chief Algar continued, due in part to cur- rent gun laws. In addition, he sees a widespread willingness here to work together as a com- munity to head off such disas- ters before they explode. The result is that Halton remains the safest ares in Canada with a populton over 100,000. -We don't wait until we have a criais," said Chief Algar, speaking to the successfui youth-oriented programs and services now in place - some led by police. "We are a leader in change. We are willing to change." The high school massacre in ).ittleton, Colorado was raised at a recent Police Services Board meeting during a progress report on Halton's Pre-Court Youth Diversion Program. This initiative is designed to re-direct young people who commit crimes fromt the tradi- tional court system prior to charging themt with offenses. The programt is the first of its kind in Canada, perhaps North America, and integrates the resources of 20 social agencies and others. Although such offenses as serious violence, sexual assauli, domestic assaults and residential bresk-and-enters are not eligible for the program, talk at the board meeting inevitably turned to the unthinkable. Mass media notwithstanding, said Alan Leschied, associate a se. CHIEF on page 4 Heseltine h earing is on in September The preliminary hearing in a stolen property case will con- tinue September 1. The first day of the hearing into charges against Grant Heseltine was held March 9, but more time was needed. The date for continuation was set in Ontario Court (provincial division) in Milton last week. Mr. Heseltine faces more than a dozen charges in con- nection with Halton Regional Police discovering approxi- mately $20,000 worth of property at a Martin Street home last April. Police allege the property- which included groceries, household supplies and cloth- ing - was stolen ftom several local businesses. A publication ban on evi- dence heard March 9 was ordered by the judge, a com- mon practice at preliminary hearings. The hearing is expected to wrap up September 1.