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•T he I FP • H al to n H ill s •T hu rs da y, J un e 6, 2 01 3 6 OPINION In 1974 U.S. President Richard Nixon resigned and Pierre Trudeau defeated Robert Stanfield in the Canadian federal election. It also marked the first year of Regional gov- ernment, and according to Halton Police, the Re- gion's current crime rate hasn't been as low since John-Boy was wishing everyone goodnight on Little House on the Prairie. Police said there were 1,602 fewer criminal offences reported (12,076) than in the previous year (13,678), resulting in an overall 13.9 per cent decrease in the crime rate once the Region's pop- ulation growth is factored in. In Halton Hills the crime rate fell 14.6 per cent. Police said violent criminal offences in Halton dropped by 18.5 per cent and property crime also fell by 10.5 per cent. Individual crime categories that showed de- creases in 2012 compared to 2011 included: • Sexual assault down 17 per cent • Assault down 22.1 per cent • Break and enter down 9 per cent • Auto theft down 33.9 per cent • Theft under $5,000 down 2.8 per cent • Mischief down 12.3 per cent • Fraud down 29.9 per cent • Arson down 36.7 per cent On the downside robbery incidents showed a slight 1.1 per cent increase, theft over $5,000 incidents rose by 2.6 per cent and possession of stolen goods went up by 3.7 per cent. However, our roads were safer in 2012 as mo- tor vehicle collisions were 5 per cent lower in 2012. Halton Police Chief Steve Tanner cited an ag- ing population, less youth between the ages of 15 and 23, a positive local economy and relatively high incomes-- as well as diligent police work-- as factors in lowering the crime rate. Whatever the factors, these stats are something both the police and public should take pride in. 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 Safe statistics Steve Nease Letters to the editor Dear editor, Dreams Take Flight is dedicated to providing the trip of a lifetime for very special children faced with various challenges. The tireless efforts of volunteers from Air Canada, service organiza- tions, social agencies and private business take more than 1,000 chil- dren annually to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland. For many years the Georgetown Lions Club has sponsored four children to attend one of the spe- cial days. As a Lions member I was honoured with the role of "escort" for four local boys last month. From the moment the children arrived until they returned the next morning, the day was all about them having fun. The day had many great experiences for the children that most would never have been able to do without the help of everyone involved. The looks on the children's faces said it all. There were so many heart- warming experiences that day I will keep with me for the rest of my life. The Georgetown Lions Club is a unisex club dedicated to making Halton Hills a great place to raise our families and we're always look- ing for new enthusiastic members to help us with our fundraising efforts. If you are interested in join- ing contact us through our website at: georgetownlionsclub.ca I can tell you it truly is better to give than to receive! Lion Grant Harris, Georgetown 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) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@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) The Region of Halton has issued its summer water use reminder to residents. Do you fol- low Halton's water consumption guidelines? • Yes (61%) • No (22%) • I didn't know there were guidelines (17%) WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.theifp.ca) Dreams took flight for Lions member Beavers a benefit 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. Dear editor, I read with interest Rob Traill's letter of May 16 about the beaver- killed trees along Silver Creek. Like Rob, I cherish trees. There are a few points I'd like to raise however, in defense of beavers. Mr. Traill should direct his concern, not at the beavers, but at the agencies that chose to plant trees in the floodplain (low-lying areas) along Silver Creek. A flood- plain is a highly dynamic area that, over time, changes naturally from woodland to meadow. Agents of this change include flooding events and-- in this case-- beavers. This change is entirely natural and benefits a diversity of wildlife. The meadows and open areas that arise because of the activity of beavers are hugely important to a range of creatures from bees to butterflies and a wealth of bird spe- cies. The ponds beavers create are also a great boon to biodiversity. They provide crucial habitat for a multitude of animals including frogs, turtles, dragonflies, mink, ducks and herons. The resurgence of beavers in our natural areas is very positive news in an era of declining biodiversity. So... let's leave it to beaver along our streams and rivers. They are our allies, not our adversaries. Don Scallen, Vice-president Halton/North Peel Naturalist Club, Georgetown