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Last year was an historic bench mark year for public safety in Halton with the lowest crime rate since regionalization in 1974. There were 1,259 fewer criminal offences reported in Halton in 2011 (13,678) compared to 2010 Crime rate down 10.4 per cent (14,937). Taking growth into account, that's a 10.4 per cent decrease in the overall crime rate since last year ­ the lowest rate in 37 years. "When a community that is already as safe as Halton sees this kind of significant decline in criminal offences, it speaks volumes about how effectively everyone, including the police, the public, our community partners, and the media are working together for public safety," said Chief Gary Crowell. Police reported an increase in hate-related incidents with 51 hate-related incidents in last year, 19 which fit the police definition of a hate crime, up from 41 hate-related incidents in 2010. Halton's property crime rate ­ almost threequarters of all offences ­ dropped by 13.0 per cent, with 10,025 offences including theft, breaking and entering, mischief, counterfeit currency, arson, fraud and the possession of stolen goods, last year. Chief Crowell is unhappy with the 10.1 per cent increase in motor vehicle collisions, and most concerned that fatal collisions increased to 15 last year, up from 13 in 2010. Rest In Peace The Volume 15 No. 09 Volume 15 No. 09 Newstand Price 40¢ + GST NEW TREFOR GARDENER 1961 -2012 R.I.P. March 1, 2012 Your Hometown Thursday, Newspaper Thursday, March 1 2012 ACTON MOTORS 853·1280 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Avid reader, and The New Tanner paperboy Michael Holmes, 10, was the official cake cutter at the first anniversary party for the Acton library on Saturday. Library Marketing and Communications manager Audrey Holt (left), Director of Library Services Jane Diamanti and Acton branch Librarian Mary Land joined the celebration. ­ Ted Tyler photos S Widen 401 and end ' T freeway fears? A E H ID W S See page 2 IN East Wellington Its playoff season! parents schooled on French Immersion Sports scores and Voir La page 8 reports on page 11