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6 - The Caniadian Champion, Tuesday, December 2, 2003 * 7zc/~w Crying wolf costly W E Policing is a tough enough job without Whether these were childish pranks, ado- the added burden of being led on wild lescent attempts to gain attention or the goose chases. actions of teens with seriouLs prohlems. Yet, in the last two months, too much of these stunts wasted precious emergency Halton police officers' time has heen wast- service resources. - guos aaitoiotis oî a extrcmely irenous nature. Twice since September local teens in Burlington have reported that strangers attempted 10 abduct thens - dlaims that turned out 10 be untrue. In the latesi case - involvmng a 14-year- old girl - three police officiers were assigned to investigate the abduction aile- galion. During a second meeting with police, the teen confessed she had made the whole thing Up. Equally disturbing was the young com- plainant's suspect description, whîch hap- pened to match a man seen in the area by others that day - adding the appearance of legitimacy 10 the bogus dlaim. We shudder to think how many innocent lives might have been needlessly dragged through our justice systens had this girl not recanted her story. With a proposed double-digit increase 10 the budget of HalIon's police force likely to receive close scrutiny, we believe such acts of public miachief should carry a price tag - perhaps literally. While police are reluctant 10 charge teens - especially if they have neyer been in trouble before - taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill for such behaviour. When you park your car where parking îsn't allowed, you can expecî a parking ticket. When carelessneos or ignorance of fune code regulations leada 10 a blaze, fire departanents can bill the coat of responding 10 the call 10 thse at-faulî party. In cases of public miachief, parents or guardians of minora should be presented with a bill for the policing coats of investi- gating thse false accusation. Perhaps then citizens of any age might tbink twice before crying wolf. OUR READERS WRITE Thaksfo 6Vrfle8 UppftduMg Malboeuf says thank-you to everybody ____eleem, y cudSmfl who supported hlm in municipal election Deui Editor: For ail those who, participated in this past municipal election, lhank- you for showing an interest and car- ing about the future of oui commu- niity. To ail Ibose wbo supported me and voted for me, thank-you. Thank you for focusing on my past record as your counicîllor and thse meal issues facmng oui town and ignoring lIse dirty politics and personal atlacks tIsaI were directed aI me Box 248, 191 tI Milton, Ont.I (905) 878. Editorial Fax:9 Advertising Fax:9 Classified:9 Circulation:9 Ian Oliver Pi Neil Oliver Aaaî Jîli Davis Karen Smith Wendy McNab Adveî Charlene Hall Cires Ter! Casas Tim Coles Prod lain St. E., The. Cnaien Cihampion. pubisired esery Tueoduy and Friay ai 191 -9T 4N9 Main St. t., Milton, Ont., L9T 4N9 (Bos 248), s unie oi The Meiruland Prirtng Puisios & tîstributins Ltd. group of suburban companies wich 41 includes: Ajax/Pickering Noes Advertiser, Alliitsn tierabiCouier, tannei *234 Adoance, BoSten Enierprise, Brampton Guardian, ulnt PsBrigo Siropping Newes, Cipy Panent, Cipy ut Yonrk Guardian, Coll5ngwood/W5asaga Cnnnecisn, East York Mirnor, loin Adocate/Country Rosies, tniicore 05-878-4943 Guadian, FlamboroulRtevew, Foresen YoungGorgtown 05-876-2364 'rimesLindsay This Weer, Madiirarniconomist & Sun, Midianid/Penetang- 058530 ishemo Mirron. Miton Shropping Newes, Mississauga Business imes, 05853M Mississauga Newes, Napanee Guide, Nassagaweya News, Newmanket/Aurona 05-878-5947 Ens-Basson, Norumirland Neaws, North York Mirror Oakoil Bosser, ublisher OshawaWhâny/Clington/Port Penny This Week, Peterborougr This We:k, Picion Countr Guide, Ricirmond HiiVTirorniilpsuîiran Liberai, Scarorougr ,ciate Publisher Mirnon, touloille/Soidge Tribune. Editor-in-Chief Adsentising is accepted on tire condition tirai, in ihe osent of a tiypo- gnapirical ennon, niran portion ni nire aduedtising space occupied by tire ero- Editor neous item, togotirer witr a reasonable atioreance ior signature, oi non be riaing Manager chrged ton, but the balance ni tire adsertisement will ire paid ton ai tireappi-. cable raie. Tire publinierensoroos tire nigiri ne categonize adoreetiooments on 'lation Manager decline. Office Manager action Manager The Mion Cdeisan Chiraoron a %hcyclable Prokic ai during tie campaign. To the members of the new coun- cil, congratulations and good luck. You face some very difficult chal- lenges ahead as you lry 10 balance lIse needs and wants of the commu- nily with the fiscal realities of today. Finaily, I'd like 10 thank the peo- ple of Milton for having given me the oipportunity toi serve them laver the pasl six years as a lown and regional counicillor. Over the last six years there bave been tome frustrating and contro- versial limes, but alto some satisf- ing times. 1 hope that lhrough my efforts on coundil I've conlributed 10 improv- ing the quality of life for tIse people of Milton. Maybe somieday IFll have die opportunily 10 serve you once agan. Rick Malboeuf Arthrftis Society volunteers deserve thanks: Milton chair Dear Editor: Elhie Mulder, Barb Crowe, Derek Hodge, Virginia .On behaif of the Milton Arthritis Society, I'd like to Mount, Cathy Romadenko, Lome Greenwood and ail send out a special message of appreciation to the fol- the canvassers. lowmng people for their efforts in the Arthritis Society's T1hanks for ail your help. September canspaign. Audrea Lear-Costigan, chair T'hanks to Maijonie Powys, Jins and Helen Powers, Milton Arthritia Society 1Haveo your say on a local issue with a letter to the eitor. Fax ai your* letters to (905) 878-4943, or e-mail them n f oe@atnerhcm Pud by Steve Nease I. +THE CANADLzv CHAMrPION vi