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OPINION "Information is power." That is part of the reasoning behind Halton Re- gional Police's decision to launch a mapping func- tion that will allow Halton residents to monitor criminal activity in a particular neighbourhood, according to Halton Police Chief Steve Tanner. Tanner made the comment at last Thursday's launch of the function which is available on the police website www.haltonpolice.ca. "Providing reliable, timely crime data to the communities we serve is one of our top priori- ties, because an informed public is a safer public," says Tanner. "This partnership with CrimeReports gives us the ability to keep the public informed on a regular basis as to what is going on in our com- munity." Police dispatch data is stripped of personal in- formation, including the exact address, and sent securely to CrimeReports.com, which hosts the crime mapping software. The public can access the data through the Halton Regional Police Ser- vice's website, under the Crime Files/Mapping navigation button. Incidents refl ected on the map will be shown within 100 numbers of the address, to protect individual's privacy, while still being within the general vicinity to give people an accurate idea of crime in their neighbourhood. The crime mapping data will include police-dis- patched calls for property damage, sexual assault, assault, robbery, break and enter, theft, impaired driving, homicide, attempted murder, offensive weapons, drug-related offences, and various traf- fi c-related offences such as impaired driving, hit and run, and motor vehicle injuries and fatalities. The idea behind the function is to allow the public to understand crime trends and thus better help police in preventing crime. We are constantly amazed by residents who contact us saying they were surprised that a break- in had occurred on their street or that a particular neighbourhood had been vandalized. Crime can happen anywhere, and the more people realize that, and take precautions to safe- guard themselves and their property, the better. This new project is simply another educational tool to help make Halton safer. The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Edi- torial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press Crime mapped Steve Nease Letters to the editor Dear editor, This past holiday season was made a little brighter for 458 chil- dren in Halton Hills, thanks to the many generous donors who provid- ed assistance with the Links2Care Holiday Hamper Program. These children received gifts of new warm winter clothing, often including snowsuits and winter boots. Many lower income families in our community struggle to meet their daily needs and the holiday season can put a great deal of extra pressure on these families. The Holiday Hamper Program attempts to relieve some of the fi nancial stresses around the holiday season and the families who receive the hampers are so very grateful to have this help, and often comment that they wouldn't have known what they would do if this program didn't exist. This program involves many hours of preparation and relies on countless hours of volunteer time, as well as the time spent by our wonderful sponsors, who gener- ously shop for specifi c children and donate the clothing to our program. Many people also made fi nancial donations and gave gift cards or other gift items. On behalf of Links2Care I would like to extend my thanks to all the sponsors, donors, and volunteers who helped to make this program a success this year. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated! Cathy Gerrow, Community Support Program Co-ordinator, Links2Care Letters policy 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@theifp.ca) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifi eds Kristie Pells (classifi ed@theifp.ca) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) With contracts now imposed on Ontario public school teachers, should they return to providing extra-curricular activities? • Yes. The fi ght is over...for now (68%) • No. They have the right to withhold that service (32%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Hamper support was appreciated Library complaints should go to board Let there be lights Letters must include an address and daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. The Independent & Free Press wel- comes your letters. Letters must include an address and daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published and letters should not ex- ceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Please email your letter to: jmcghie@theifp.ca Send a letter •T he I FP • H al to n H ill s •T ue sd ay , J an ua ry 2 9, 2 01 3 6 Dear editor, Re: Library pricetag annoys resident (letter to the editor Jan. 15). In his letter Mr. Bill Shuttleworth states, "Ms. (Jane) Diamanti (Director of Library Services) is a superb sales- woman but needs to be challenged on every one of her requests for more town money!" All library funding requests come to Town council by way of the Halton Hills Public Library Board (Board). Those who are displeased with any aspect of the two wonderful library branches in Halton Hills, should bring their complaints or comments directly to the board and not take rude or un- informed shots at Ms Diamanti. The board meets on the second Wednesday of each month and the public is welcome to attend. Frank Loreto, vice-chair Halton Hills Public Library Board Dear editor, I live on Guelph Street close to Hall Road and agree totally with what John Elliott (Jan. 17 letter Lights required at intersection) had to say about the traf- fi c in and out of the Hall Road/McFar- lane Dr., area. This intersection is just an accident waiting to happen now, can you imag- ine another 200 cars trying to get onto Guelph Street? 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