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Wednesdsay April 7, 1999 f THE OAKVILLE BEAVER H a l t o n p o l i c e b u l l i s h o n h e l i c o p t e r s A5 By Howard Mozel O A K V IL L E B EAVER STAFF While local law enforcement will soon be taking to the air, the officer in charge of a new police helicopter evalua­ tion project, says the initiative has been in the works for years. "This will assist in police pursuits but we've been looking at a helicopter long before police pursuits became the main argument," says Halton Regional Police Superintendent Paul Cormier. In addition to apprehending criminal suspects, Cormier says, a chopper is also ideal for such vital operations as rescues both on land and in the lake. "Pursuits aren't the main reason," he said. Last week Ontario Solicitor General Robert Runciman announced that $900,000 will be spent on four, 20-week helicopter evaluation projects in the province, $250,000 of which is ear­ marked for the joint Halton, Hamilton- Wentworth and Peel Region project. According to Halton Centre MPP Terence Young, the money will come from the sale of criminal assets seized by police. Cormier explained that in addition to provincial funding, each region will kick in $100,000. (Pilot projects will also take place in Toronto, London and the York/Durham Regions.) Cormier maintains that a chopper will be of great benefit in reducing pursuits, the theory being that officers in four- wheeled vehicles can back off and let the eyes in the sky track their suspects. If a criminal stops their own vehicle or leaves it to flee on foot, the helicopter crew can't be eluded. "There is no escaping a helicopter. It's that simple," says Cormier, who adds that Calgary's helicopter unit boasts a 100% capture rate. Cormier explained that the helicopter will be shared between the three regions, probably two days a week in each on a rotating basis. "This, of course, does not prohibit the helicopter from going to any of the juris­ dictions if there is a need for it," said Cormier, who explained if a break and enter was in progress, for example, the chopper could be diverted. "It depends on the situation at the time." In Halton, the take-off and landing site will likely be Burlington Air Park. Much of the legwork for bringing the project to Halton was done by Inspector Bill Ford and Kerry Hayes, executive assistant to Chief Ean Algar. The initia­ tive will now be overseen by Cormier's Community Policing Support Unit. First, however, the police must solicit requests for proposals from interested helicopter companies. The successful firm will meet the needs of police regard­ ing hours of operation, equipment required, pilot experience and other fac­ tors. Cormier said their goal is to be up and flying by May 15. In the meantime, two officers will be seconded from their regular duties to fill one full-time position and one backup assignment. Both observers will likely be trained at the OPP academy, says Cormier, since that force already has a helicopter program. The helicopter's equipment will include a steerable 30-million candle- power searchlight, a thermal imaging system, video cameras and more. The helicopter will also have a wire-strike protection system which slices through overhead lines in the unlikely event of contact. No room for expansion at local site (C o n tin u e d fro m p a g e 1) Karen Stewart, director of commu­ nications for Lear at its Southfield, Mich., headquarters, yesterday con­ firmed that 215 employees would receive layoff notices in May and that the production line was being trans­ ferred to Romulus. She said the move was necessary because the Oakville plant was too small. She would not say if more layoffs were anticipated. McKeon said the company has always maintained there is no room to expand at the Oakville plant. With overtime, McKeon said, many workers earn at least $50,000 a year with an excellent benefit package. -- Torstar News Service Car wash outlets cleaned out rTwo coin-operated car wash centres in Oakville were broken into during the same night last month. Crime Stoppers wants to know who was involved. During the Saturday night of March 13th-14th, a car wash on Speers Road near Dorval Drive, and another on Speers Road near Third Line, were bro­ ken into. In both cases, the thief forced a door to the utility room, and stole coins stored there. Coin deposit boxes were also attacked in the wash bays in an apparent attempt for more money. The total losses suffered by the two car wash facilities amount to more for damage caused by the thief than that of stolen money. Were these two entries committed by the same person? Do you know someone who suddenly acquired a lot of one and two-dollar coins? If you can CRIME STOPPERS Call 825-TIPS or 1-800-668-5151 suggest a possible suspect for the police to investigate, Crime Stoppers is wait­ ing to hear from you. If you have any information that leads to an arrest in this or any other case, you may be eligible for a cash reward. You need not give your name, and your information can be taken with complete anonymity. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Please call 1-800-222-TIPS or 825- TIPS (that's 825-8477) or on the web www.enlightning.com/~crimestop- pers.html. S p o r t c a n b e c o n ta g io u s (C o n tin u e d fro m p a g e 1) average woman is somewhere between 17 and 25), there isn't a lot of room left for fun. The pre-competition routine goes something like this. Up by five every morning to consume a "power break­ fast of 10 egg whites and porridge, while at the same time feeding her three daughters their breakfasts and packing their lunches. Dropping them off at daycare at 6 a.m., she heads to the gym for a 90-minute bodybuilding workout before she lands at her day job at 8:30. This goes on five times a week, coupled with an addition­ al five to six car- d i o v a s c u l a r workouts. "Basically, by the day of the c o m p e t i t i o n , you're near death but you look good because you're so dehy­ drated," laughs Giorgio. In the "off season", training still involves four workouts a week and a moderate diet. Ask Giorgio why she puts her­ self through it and it's like ask­ ing someone why they climb moun­ tains. "It's a very personal thing," says Giorgio. "Some people say I'm selfish, but I like the feel­ ing of having control. It's a stress relief." Giorgio says she likes being fit and pushing her­ self to her limits, both physically and emotionally. She also likes the "muscled look" although she admits she has no desire to be as huge as the professional body­ builders. "I guess it's better than going to a bingo hall or a bar," she concludes. With the Canadian championships and her 40th birthday both on the hori­ zon, Giorgio says she doesn't know yet if she'll continue beyond the next com­ petition. "It's a contagious sport, but I don't know," she confesses. "Let's see first if I can be the best in Canada." We didn't reinvent the wheel. Just everything above it. ► It's something we've been doing for a severity of impact to the other vehicle in a long time now. Re-examining every aspect collision. There's also a remarkable new of the automobile, and constantly improving standard equipment system called TeleAid. it, in order to make the experience of driving In an emergency, and SOS button will as pleasurable, as exhil­ arating, as comfortable, and as safe as possible. It's an effort that has culminated, most recently, with the new S-Class. By far the finest automobile we have ever made. ► The new S-Class is the world's most aerodynamically efficient production car, Introducing the new S-Class. immediately connect you to an emergency response representative who, in turn, will not only summon help to your precise loca­ tion, but will stay on the line until help arrives. If an air bag or seat belt Emergency Tensioning Retractor is deployed, the system down. You can now downshift through turns, or hold upshifts for raw acceleration. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) detects potential oversteer or understeer before you even sense it yourself. ESP then restores stability by braking individual wheels and/or reducing engine torque to keep you on course. All in the blink of an eye. ► Altogether, the technology on the new S-Class required over 340 new patents. with just a .27 co-efficient of drag. Sports cars try to achieve this number; let alone a full- sized sedan. The benefit? Reduced wind noise and improved fuel efficiency. And at higher speed, the car's Airmatic suspension system automatically lowers by 15 mm, to further reduce drag. ► Another first, smart passenger airbags that deploy with partial force in a low-speed collision, and a full force at higher speeds. As well, two Head Protection Curtain airbags run the length of the side windows to protect you from head injury, while side-impact airbags in the front and rear doors deploy to help protect your torso. The crumple zones of the new S-Class even help reduce the activates automatically. ► A new cockpit design handles even more functions, more efficiently. The COMAND system manages the audio, cell phone, and navigation systems, and dis­ plays them, as required, on a centre console screen and the instrument cluster. ► Light-emitting diode brake lamp lights up to 15 milliseconds faster than bulbs. But at 100 km/h, that small time sav­ ings translates into an extra 4.8 metres of additional stopping room for the car travel­ ling behind you. ► You'll enjoy the new Sportshift manual-style shift technology. Just tap the shifter left or right to change gears up or Every single innovation conceived to make your driving experience better in every mea­ surable way. ► We invite you to come in and view the reinvention of the automobile, and take an S-Class for a test drive. See our website at www.meraymotors.mercedes-benz.ca. VALUE PRICED STARTING AT $92,500* Mercedes-Benz T h e F u t u r e o f t h e A u t o m o b i l e Meray Motors & Collision Limited QEW & Dorval Drive, Oakville 845-6623 •MSRP for 2000 S430 Standard Wheelbase, plus taxes and license. Redesigned, All-New Neon It's here, o new car for the N ew Millennium . The Neon 2 0 0 0 . The fun a n d a g ility o f a sports sedan w ith the m aturity a n d substantial feel that defines the n ew b reed o f C h rys le r passenger cars. LEASE FOR 2 9 9a m onth Next Generation Steering Dual A ir Conditioning 6 0 /4 0 Split Rear Seat Remote Trunk ise Tinted Glass 2.0L 16V 132hp 4 Cylinder Engine fo r 4 8 months. FREIGHT & SECURITY DEPOSIT INCLUDED *299 I ^ A I I I U Automatic Transmission LEASE/MONTH $299* DOW NPAYMENT $299* FREIGHT INCLUDED SECURITY DEPOSIT INCLUDED AIR TAX INCLUDED GST/PST $44 .85 4-W heel Independent Suspension A M /F M Stereo Cassette with CD Controls & Ports Impact Complimentary Child-Protection Tank ot Fuel Rear Door Locks Beams O F F E R Chr«ler customers always read the fine print. tThis is a limited time offer to retail deliveries for personal use only of all new in-stock 2000 Neons. Retail order or dealer (rode may be necessary. Leasing/Financing subject to approval by Chrysler model 16 22 0 *Plus tax, kilometers ore limited to 25 ,200 and o chorge of $0.09/km for excess. Vehicle may not be exactly os shown. Visit us todoy at www.loSwoodchrysler com. 175 WYECROFT RD., OAKVILLE 8 4 5 " 6 6 5 3 (B E T W E E N K E R R & D O R V A L ) w w w . l o c k w o o d c h r y s l e r . c o m LOCKWOOn m m c H R Y S L E R i http://www.enlightning.com/~crimestop-pers.html http://www.enlightning.com/~crimestop-pers.html http://www.meraymotors.mercedes-benz.ca http://www.loSwoodchrysler http://www.lockwoodchrysler.com