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Innovation vital to fight crime Are we allowing certain young people in Penetanguishene to drift into a life of crime? Theft by young offenders here rose 25 per cent last year, according to police chief Bob Cummings' annual report. Overall, 200 complaints of theft were lodged in 1988 compared to 167 in 1987; 35 charges of theft were laid against young offenders last year, up 28 from the year before. This rise in crime among young people is especially upsetting when contrasted with the big picture: the number of criminal charges against all age groups actually dropped 14 per cent in 1988. What makes a young person steal? Money? Boredom? Drugs? Rebellion against society? Can we see these youngsters every day, steering down a dangerous path? In nearby Port McNicoll, an active community policing program set up by the Ontario Provincial Police has proven that there is a bet- ter way to fight crime by teens. Through informal, non-threatening meetings with young people the community police officer in the notorious village is given credit for breaking the trend of rising crime there. Coupled with a stronger police presence in the community and an effective, almost militant attitude toward crime by the public, the pro- gram has been widely commended as a success. The old school of thought is not meeting the challenges of modern 'youth. Innovation in fighting crime is vital to the well being of this town. Guest Column Change the image their roles flawlessly. ; Next year, the Brier will be held in tee Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., followed by Venturing to Saskatoon for the 1989 Hamilton's Copps Coliseum in 1991. Labatt Brier was a homecoming of sorts _ Representatives from each city were on for me. Saskatchewan was my stomp- hand last week to learn how to host ing ground a couple of years ago when Canada's premiere curling event. And, I worked at a radio station in Estevan. if they learned one thing, it's that a Coincidentally, that provinces's smile goes a long way. representative at this year's Canadian If they learned another thing, it's that Men's Curling Championship was from curling ice, must curl. If you watched Estevan as well. Small world, eh? Sunday's final game on TV you pro- The people of Saskatchewan are some __bably heard a few cat calls from the of the warmest I know. I experienced crowd yelling B-O-RRRR-I-N-G. What a that when I worked there, and terrible display for a_ national throughout last week. The thousands of _ championship volunteers, who gave their time for I felt cheated by that game. I don't more then two years to stage thisevent, want to take anything away from Pat deserve a lot of credit. Curlers and non- Ryan and his Alberta rink, they are a curlers alike staged "Magic on Ice" to _ great team and deserve to be Canadian perfection. From the decorations inthe champs. But, I don't think straight ice 8,700-seat Saskatchewan Place, to the is fair to the paying crowd and to the ice cleaners wearing top hats and tails, national televisidn audience who want the performance was perfect. to be entertained. The Saskatoon Brier marked the 10th Hits and peels are technically difficult anniversary of Labatt's corporate spon- shots in curling, but make for dull sorship, and the 60th anniversary of the games. If curling is to progress, to the Canadian Men's Curling Champion- Olympic level, and to a wider audience ship. If there was any question where _ swingier ice will have to be a prere- to hold the Brier, the oniy answer was __quisite. It promotes offense, high scor- Saskatoon. With it's new arena, it's curl- ing matches, with tough shots, and a lot ing tradition and enthusiasm, there was __ of rocks in play. no doubt the Labatt Brier would be a That's what curling fans enjoy, that's triumph. what the majority of curlers enjoy, and City transit was provided free. The that is what's needed to change the im- cabbies were polite. Everybody involv- _ age of the sport as a game for old men ed in the curling production played | with beer bellies, By David Gravelle Wy MIDLAND KNowLToN MARCH 9/39 ONT. ------EE going anyway ... : 15 minutes anyway ... every car that passes offers a ride ... Third Street is on the edge of town... The editor and publisher of the newspaper Carry a camera at all times ... You dial a wrong number and talk for You can't walk for exercise because You get married and the local You know you're ina small town when... You don't use your turn signal because everybody knows where you're newspaper devotes a quarter page to the story ... You drive into a ditch five'miles from town and word gets back before you do You write a check on the wrong bank and it covers it for you ... You miss a Sunday at church and receive 10 get-well cards ... Pickup trucks on Main Street out- number cars three to one ... Someone asks how you feel and then listens to you. KalowL7™ MARCH 10 F4 Howard wins first 3 games, then loses his voice --Eetters-- -- Penetanguishene Citizen Published each Wednesday by Telemedia Communications Ontario Inc., 309 King Street, Midland, Ontario 526-2283 Subscription rates: 40'/single copy; by carrier home delivery (where applicable) $36.40/year, 35'/copy; by mail in Canada $39.00/year; by mail outside Canada $100.00/year. General Manager: Judy French Managing Editor: Tim Kraan Asst. Managing Editor: David Krayden Sales Representatives: Karen Caldwell, Senior Writer: Murray Moore Staff Writers: Chris Harries, Michael Sports: Arnold Burgher Sales Manager: Grace Kidd Nancy Downer, Peter Hamelin, Denise McCluskey, Don McIntyre, Joy Turner Circulation Manager: jim Baker Other rates available on request. =) Gena pee pclae a Skelton = fe) w Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 cn Ce --©J Member nage Pa, Wedneed NN Page P4, Wednesday, March 15, 1989 The Penetanguishene Citizen weicomes letters to the editor. They must be legible, signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification -- purposes. Pen names are not allow- ed and anonymous letters will not be published, but names will be withheld if circumstances warrant. Letters published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opi- nion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor. ee ne ne ay ee ro ---- en ¥ pene. -- pT