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SEER OCT Ye PENA cg A RS mare oe FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2001 -12 "WEEKEND STAR" Youth problem has subsided since return to school, police say By J. Peter Hvidsten Weekend Star Port Perry does have a problem with youths in its downtown core, but that has somewhat subsided since kids returned to school last month, says Inspector Bill Temple of the Durham Regional Police Service. Insp. Temple, who heads up the North Durham detachment, attended a meet- ing of Scugog Council on Monday to bring councillors up to date on the status of the community, and his report on youth was just one of the messages he conveyed. While leading off with the youth prob- lems experienced this past summer, the Inspector was quick to point out that the more serious problem in Scugog and the northern areas of the region is the increasing number of road fatalities. "We have a driving problem in North Durham... it's a crisis here," he said. "We are trying to do everything possi- ble, but we just don't know what to do. It's a terrible problem here," he reported. The Inspector is alarmed that there have been 26 deaths in Durham Region this year already. "This is far too high," he said. He said there are too many fast and aggressive drivers on the road and quot- ed that since 1990 every 14 days some- one dies on the roads in Durham Region. "This is unacceptable. It's tragic," he said. The Inspector also touched on the situ- ation at the area known as Test Hill, where police have been patrolling and laying AlN! charges over the past couple of weeks. "We've been laying charges, but more can be done there," he said. Inspector Temple reported that there has been 97 break-and-enters in Scugog and Port Perry this year, but added that he does not see the community as having a crime problem. "Many of these are crimes of opportuni- ty," he said, citing things stolen from cars as an example. He also said that North Durham experi- ences few robberies and violent crimes due to the good community partnership with the police. Scugog Mayor Doug Moffatt wanted to know if the department was staffed ade- quately. Inspector Temple replied "no", but said staffing was better now than it had ever been. "By early next year we will be in tremendous shape," he said. When - questioned about the youth problems, the Inspector said there had been a lot of problems in the downtown core, but said it was due to a "group men- tality." But the Inspector was also quick to point out that, "there are a tremendous amount of nice young kids out there." Ward 2 Councillor Marilyn Pearce point- ed out that the community has some good partnerships developing with the police. "We appreciate what is happening with the police," she said. Saying good-bye CHRIS HALL / WEEKEND STAR Friends, family, colleagues and former students showed up at S.A. Cawker Public School last Thursday (Oct. 18) to bid farewell and good luck to Dianne Chandler, who recently gave up her teaching post at the local school so she could pursue other interests. Joining her in the celebrations last week were, from left, Ruby Beare, Michelle Beare and Nicki Beare. IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR FIREARM QU INERS IN ONTARIO Look for your form in the mail! Right now, registration is FREE! your form. Your personalized and easy-to-complete firearm registration form is already on its way to you by mail if you hold a valid firearms licence or Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC). You must have your licence or FAC before you can register. Firearm registration is a legal responsibility for all firearm owners. Registration is a one-time endeavour. You can save the $18 fee if you apply to register your firearms by the deadline indicated on Acting now means you're sure to have your registration documents before you need them. You may also apply to register on-line. Visit www.cfc.gc.ca for details. For more information, call: 1 800 731-4000 or visit: www.cfc.gc.ca e Registration works towards improving public safety by recognizing owner accountability for the safe use and storage of firearms. e Any restricted or prohibited firearms that you registered under the former law must be re-registered. There is no fee for re-registration. e An amnesty is in effect until December 31, 2001, to allow those in possession of unregistered, restricted firearms to either register or properly dispose of them. ® Registration enables police to trace firearms that may have been stolen, illegally imported, illegally manufactured, or bought on the black market. ® Insurance coverage and claims can be obtained or handled more easily for owners of registered firearms. ® By law, all firearms must be registered by the end of 2002. Canada