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Thursday, February 4, 2016 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 3 2007 Suzuki SX4 + HST/LIC • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Keyless Entry • Bucket Seats • Power Door Locks • AM/FM CD Player $7,800 2009 Saturn Astra XE $7,600 + HST/LIC • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-Tested • Power Steering • Power Mirrors • Alloy Wheels • Heated Seats e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com 2010 Nissan Versa • Auto/4 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Sunroof/Moonroof • Fog Lights • Power Windows • Cruise Control $10,300 + HST/LIC CALL 2006 Pontiac Montana • Auto/6 cyl • Certified & E-tested • A/C • Power Seats • Power Steering • DVD/Entertainment • Cruise Control $6,500 + HST/LIC 45 Mountainview Road North Georgetown, Ontario 905.877.7958 NEWS 289 mental health calls in Halton Hills in 2014-- 112 in Acton and 177 in Georgetown-- and that number in- creased to 300 by last year (97 in Acton and 203 in Georgetown). To better help those struggling with non-criminal issues, Halton police are using what's known as the mobiliza- tion and engagement model of com- munity policing. This method sees the police partnering with commu- nity agencies to address those at risk through early intervention, rather than waiting for an emergency situation. "It's not just the police driving the bus anymore. We're trying to make sure we're doing the right things at the right time with the right people," said L'Ortye, explaining that some individ- uals identified through this approach may be referred to the Canadian Men- tal Health Association, Reach Out Centre For Kids, etc. to address their mental health before it becomes a po- lice situation. "If you can prevent something from happening, you're saving money and saving people a lot of grief and hardship," he said. In December, Halton police also launched a Mobile Crisis Rapid Re- sponse Team that sees a uniformed police officer in an unmarked car and a registered mental healthcare profes- sional respond to mental health calls. "They have more skills to deter- mine whether someone should go to the hospital or not," he said. "If the call involves an apprehension, we have to work with hospitals and typically have to stay until that person is admitted. That can take anywhere from 30 min- utes to eight hours." The officers involved have a back- ground in mental health response and experience working with Halton Regional Police's Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST). The Rapid Response Team has been trained to defuse or de-escalate crisis situations, advocate for the person and families in crisis and ensure necessary medical health assessments are completed. "That program is working very well. It's already showing great results," said L'Ortye. "I believe we're doing a really good job in addressing mental health issues." Local and Regional Councillor Clark Somerville likened the amount of time officers are spending at hospi- tals with those in a mental health cri- sis to the offloading delays that tie up EMS staff at local emergency rooms-- the latter of which costs the Region millions of dollars. "I'm tremendously concerned with the amount of time officers are spend- ing on mental health calls, not just here, but across the country," he said. "It's just part of a system that's broken that we have to get fixed." "I think we're doing a good job fix- ing it and addressing it," said L'Ortye, noting the aforementioned police teams are able to divert many people facing mental health issues to other community resources outside the hos- pital. Continued from page 1 Ward 1 Councillor Jon Hurst often hears residents complain about the lack of police on the streets of Acton, questioning whether there's a correlation between this and illegal drug activity in town. "As much as it pains me to say the word, Acton has been referred to as 'Crack'ton. This is difficult for me to understand because it's something I don't see," said Hurst at a Halton Hills Commu- nity Affairs meeting Tuesday afternoon. "Is there enough enforcement in the small town of Acton? Are the Halton Regional Police doing all they can? I'd like to see that name fall from grace because it's been concerning me to hear it." He was directing his comments to Halton Po- lice Inspector Ivan L'Ortye, who was speaking to committee members about policing in Halton Hills. "I will be looking into that situation," said L'Ortye, noting he's already in conversations to build up the police presence in Acton. "We do keep a number of officers every shift in Acton, but I will look to see what we can do to enhance that." The proposed new District 1 station, which will serve as a single central facility for Milton and Halton Hills, was also discussed briefly, with L'Ortye assuring the committee members that there will continue to be a police presence in Hal- ton Hills. Last year, the Halton Regional Police Services Board approved in principle the District 1 Facility Plan that suggests a location in northeast Milton or southwest Halton Hills would best meet the needs of the District. Somerville said he's concerned about the po- tential of having two unmanned store front-type police stations in Acton and Georgetown. Local and Regional Councillor Jane Fogal voiced her frustration with the lack of details available on how the Georgetown station will op- erate once the central facility is built. "It's been under discussion for a long time. You'd think by now we'd have an idea of how the Georgetown substation will look when it's on the ground. How many hours will it be open? Is the door unlocked?" she asked. "We can't get all ex- cited about something if we don't know what it is we're talking about." "I can't comment on the staffing levels of that building," L'Ortye said, noting he will convey the councillors' concerns to the police chief and en- deavour to find some answers. He also said the chief is in discussions with the Region on the topic. Halton Police work with mental health agencies to prevent crisis situations Police to investigate 'Crack'ton By Melanie Hennessey Special to The IFP Halton police are searching for a woman wanted on numerous charges in connection with the alleged use of a stolen credit card. Police allege that between Sept. 12 and Oct. 26, the suspect used a hospitalized woman's credit card without her knowledge or consent on a number of occasions. Police have released to the public a photo of Leanna Inglis in hopes of locating her. Police say the accused faces charges, in- cluding: three counts of credit card theft, three counts of the fraudulent use of a credit card, two counts of fraud under $5,000 and one count of fraud over $5,000. Police say the suspect's last-known ad- dress was in Toronto, however she's known to frequent locations in Halton. The suspect is described as 5-foot-3, around 200 lbs. and has shoulder-length, brown hair. Halton police say the suspect is also wanted by Toronto police. Anyone with information is asked to con- tact Det.-Cst. Patricia Kenel, the senior inves- tigator with Milton Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747, ext. 2454 or Det/ Cst. Nadine Clarke of the Community Mobi- lization Bureau, Vulnerable Persons Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by tex- ting "Tips201" with your message to 274637 (crimes). Police seek public's help to locate wanted woman LEANNA INGLIS