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Funding for PAVIS program renewed indefinitely Halton Regional Police is one of 22 police services across Ontario that will benefit from permanent funding for a specialized anti-violence program that was announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty Monday. The premier's office said that since 2007, the Halton force has received more than $800,000 in direct funding for Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategies (PAVIS) programs. According to the Province, PAVIS specialized teams "work with partners to target illegal gang, drugs and weapons activities in communities by focusing on intervention, enforcement and community mobilization." The funding, which amounts to more than $7.5 million annually in the 22 communities served by PAVIS, was set to expire in 2013 but will now continue indefinitely. Bob Percy, Halton Regional Police deputy chief of operations, said, "we have been a participant in PAVIS for many, many years," and indicated the funding pays for the equivalent of two full-time officers in Halton annually. He explained that PAVIS funding is used to train select members of uniformed patrol in every area in Halton. "These were people that had a demonstrated interest in all that was PAVIS," Percy said. "We've enhanced the use of our analytics, we've determined the areas of need in each of the three districts and now what we do is a strategic deployment of resources on specific nights and focused exclusively on PAVIS-type initiatives and that is working on gangs, weapons and the drug use that helps contribute to gangs. "We engage members of the community and provide information to them and make sure it's not just an upfront or a day of hit-and-run but some upfront building and sustainability afterwards." Percy said the announcement of permanent PAVIS funding will allow Halton police to continue to contribute positively to community safety. "We try to make sure we augment PAVIS funding with our own available resources so it's not like we say we're using all of this PAVIS funding for certain officers on certain times," he explained. "We're trying to blend it so that funding lasts longer. We maximize the use of it. Some officers come in exclusively for PAVIS, we try to dedicate more time to PAVIS over the course of the year." McGuinty was in Toronto to meet with Mayor Rob Ford in the wake of a rash of recent shootings that left four people dead and more than two dozen injured in the city. The outcome of that meeting was several provincial funding announcements. Also made permanent Monday was funding for the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategies (TAVIS) program -- its funding was also set to expire in 2013. In addition the Province will: · Invest $500,000 from the Proceeds of Crime Program to support stronger co-ordination among Toronto police, GTA police forces and the OPP in targeting gangs and getting guns off the street · Fast-track $500,000 in support to Toronto Community groups through the Safer and Vital Communities program · The Attorney General will bring together guns and gangs experts to make recommendations that will lead to stronger prosecutions and what it calls "a safer environment for those who come forward to testify against perpetrators." McGuinty said he is committed to strong action to get guns and gangs off the street and provide positive alternatives for youth. "Ontario families have the right to feel safe and to be safe in all our com- 7 · Thursday, July 26, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com munities," said McGuinty. "We need a serious plan that includes strong policing and strong social supports. We need to do both. We need that balance. And we all have a responsibility to make that happen." Scotiabank Charity Challenge to benefit bereaved children The Oakville-based Lighthouse Program for Grieving Children wants people to put on their running shoes in an effort to help support bereaved children. The organization will be participating at this year's Scotiabank Charity Challenge, which will take place along Toronto's waterfront on Oct. 14. The organization hopes to raise $11,000 at the event, which is enough to support one group of bereaved children for one year. To raise awareness and to recruit runners and volunteers for the event, the Lighthouse Program is hosting a launch event on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at Burnet Park in Oakville at 7:30 p.m. The Scotia Bank Charity Challenge is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. There are three distances to chose from: 5K, half-marathon (21K) and full marathon (42K). The 5K track is wheelchair and push-chair friendly. People can either run or walk. Anyone interested in running, can register online at www.grievingchildrenlighthouse.org. There are registration fees. Those who do not wish to run can help the organization by either volunteering their time or by making a financial donation. The Lighthouse Program needs to raise $250,000 each year to offer its free programming to families. The organization provides a space to heal and recover for children between the ages of three and 18 who have lost a parent or sibling. *** SPECIAL - Swimming Pools - Hot Tubs - Patio Furniture - SPECIAL*** INGROUND POOLS FACTORY DIRECT FACTORY DIRECT HELD ! OVER FREE INSTALLATION ON ABOVE GROUND POOLS FACTORY DIRECT VINYL LINER SALE! HELD OVER ! 12'X24' $999 18'X36' $1,499 14'X28' $1,099 20'X40' $1,799 16'X32' $1,299 ORY SAVE BIG! BUY FACTT! DIREC REPLACE YOUR LINER THIS SPRING AND $24,995 Vinyl & Fibreglass available SAMPLE SPECIALS 15 Ft. Round $2299 installed 21 Ft. Round $2999 installed 18 Ft. 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