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OP Reef 4 Rete -D BED -S-O-O-F-S-4-D FEAL AAL ALI Vandalism program in schools In recent months, in- cidents of vandalism have been on the increase in the Midland area. Cer- tainly this trend was made apparent to Midlanders last week, as vandals" struck the Midland YMCA_ with thoughtless fury. The Midland detach- ment of the OPP is concerned about this increase in vandalism, and are trying to do something about it. Constable Chuck Coulson is presently conducting a vandalism education program in area schools, and although the program's immediate purpose is to educate school age children to the pointlessness of van- dalism, Coulson is finding their response to the program in itself educational. "I'm discovering some pretty interesting things from the kids," he says. "You start to get a good idea of what causes vandalism from _ the classroom discussions."' In 1976, Coulson notes, there were 88,370 in- cidents of vandalism reported in Ontario. Of the six major categories of crimes, incidents of vandalism ranked second in frequency. Although this in itself is significant, he comments, the fact that vandalism is the only category of crime where there is no gain for the criminal casts a disturbing light on the Statistics. Constable Coulson also notes that of crimes committed in 1976, 16,500 were committed by people in the 16 to 25 years age group. Since van- dalism is the second highest crime committed in the province, the two figures compounded indicate statistically that vandalism is a problem largely centred among young people. The OPP vandalism program is aimed at public school students. Constable Coulson ex- plains that "by trying to get children under 16 to understand what causes vandalism, we hope that their understanding would prevent it."' In his classroom discussions, Coulson has found that school children see several factors leading to high rates of vandalism. Among these are peer: pressure, a phenomenon which The Midland detachment of the OPP has started a vandalism education program in area schools, with the hope that scenes like this, taken last week at the compells normally well- behaved children to commit acts they might not otherwise even think of doing on their own. Coulson says that the children also cite boredom as a reason why acts of vandalism are committed: children feel constrained and needing some sort of excitement, they damage property. The children also state that the use of alcohol and drugs contribute' to malicious acts. These stimulants give children a destructively false sense of confidence. Revenge is another factor cited: to destroy property hurts the owner more than stealing it. Coulson says that in his alks he tries to em- phasize that vandalism not only hurts the property owner, but also the taxpayer. Especially in the case of schools-- frequently targets for vandals--with each act of wilfull damage, school budgets are strained, and as a result school services are reduced and taxes are increased. Not only does Coulson solicit the views of the students with regards to the causes of vandalism, he also asks their opinion on what sort of retribution should be made. He notes that a large percentage of students feel that paying for damage done is Reason for program Midland YMCA, will not be repeated. Constable Chuck Coulson is running the program, and says that the response by school children to it is revealing. inadaquate, and that many express a view that would have apprehended vandals contribute to the actual physical task of repairing the property. Coulson tries to bring out the pointlessness of vandalism by showing a film entitled "The Clubhouse."' In the film, four youngsters leave a clubhouse they have built and go on a window breaking spree. They are spotted by a police cruiser and one of the vandals is apprehended. The other three children run frantically back to their clubhouse--only to find upon returning that it too has been vandalized in their absence. ~ Staff photo a 3248 WELCOME The Employees of Amerock Limited (Meaford ) These employees and their families have good reason to be pleased: they now have protec- tion against the high cost of prescribed drugs. The Blue Cross Prescription Drug Plan in- cludes the cost of such items as prescription drugs, serums, injectibles, insulin and diabetic supplies. More and more groups are taking out an Ontario Blue Cross Prescription Drug Plan because they want the best for their employees. To N2G 2M4 ONTARIO BLUE CROSS Graeme K. Hingston 659 King Street East. Suite 208. Kitchener. Ontario Prescription Drug Plan VG (519) 578-4700 A DIVISION OF THE ONTARIO HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION Y "As your Ontario Blue Cross representative | am pleased to add my personal welcome, and look forward to serving you along with the many others in this region already enjoying the protection of a variety of Blue Cross Plans." " a Sizes 38 and 46 only NOOSA AAA A AAO AF ANAAT OSS KARAS ESEER EF PARE EINE AAAAASGA AMMA AANA ARAAA AAS ELEPHANT LIQUIDATION Thanks folks, for your terrific response to our great sale. To show our appreciation we are repeating our offer with even greater values. As usual, after our January sale, we"re left with hundreds of odds and ends in different sizes and colours we call White Elephants. So instead of keeping them in stock, we've slashed the prices to unbelievable lows--far less than our cost. So, visit us today for the men's wear "buys" of your lifetime. And remember, the items listed here are but a few of the hundreds in the store. P.S. Your Chargex and Mastercharge are welcome. STARTS 9 AM TOMORROW HERE'S SOME SAVINGS YOU'LL NEVER FORGET IMPORTED ENGLISH} ALL BATHROBES } DRESS SLACKS LONG & DUFFLE COATS RE Both Winter and SHORT SLEEVE is Summer Knits DRESS SHIRTS and Wools 5 Reg. to $20.00 All Sizes Vo PRICE| 30 70F| 817499 | $5.00 [PRICE PIERRE CARDIN FLANNELETTE PAJAMAS Large & X Large only DRESS SHIRTS Reg. to *28.00 Reg. $14.99 ARB ART Our Entire Selection OF MEN'S HATS We have every style & size REDUCED TO CLEAR YOU'LL PAY PEANUTS FOR THESE ALL WEATHER COATS] IMPORTED COTTON} SWEATERS ALL OUR SILK POCKET PUFFS Limited'stock T NECKS WHILE THEY LAST | LEATHER GLOVES N@vY: Brown: Red, white .77 |$14.77 | $7.00 | °2.77 You never miss a good thing until . it's gone! $27.88 |°11.77 Sale Starts 9 am Tomorrow Be sure to get your share Buy these now or they go to the dump KNITTED JERSEYS SPORT BRIEFS LEISURE SUITS ODDS & ENDS 4 77 Been under the Mostly Size 40 Slightly damaged counter for years from window use Just don't tell anyone $9.97 where you bought it 94° Sally Ann turned them down 99° OUR VERY BEST BLAZERS Mi F N S Sy ITS POLYESTER & WOOL HOPSACK Reg. 120.00 Sizes 36 to 48 Reg. to *250° 30 at }QQ00 a 30 at? |] DOO AND MANY MORE JANUARY SALE PRICE 289" REDUCED AGAIN TO $79.99 MEN'S LONG UNDERWEAR 1 PC. COTTON Reg. *9.95 $5.47 i PC. WOOL Reg. *16.95 58.88 THURSDAY and FRIDAY OPEN till 9PM ~ Graham, Sales Gentlemen's Clothier 255 KING St., MIDLAND 526-2021 Wednesday, January 25, 1978, Page 5 AAAANRA RAAT AANA RAARARAAAARAAAAAAASARAAAAR AANA AAA 1 Ree eee ee