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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, June 21, 2012 · 22 Mac's uses social media to help fight crime Mac's Convenience Stores announced recently their six stores in Oakville and others across central Canada will be turning to social media to help fight crime. The company said that, when a robbery or shoplifting incident takes place, images of the suspect(s) will be captured on a digital video recording unit and posted on a Mac's Crime Busters Facebook page and on Twitter @ MacsCrimeBuster. The images will be accompanied by a description of the suspect and alleged crime, followed by an appeal to the public to contact Crime Stoppers if they have any information that could assist the police in apprehending the suspect. "We hope this forward thinking approach to crime prevention will assist in the resolution of unsolved crimes," said Sean Sportun, manager of Security & Loss Prevention for Mac's in Central Canada. "Exposing criminals on our social media pages will certainly make them think twice about victimizing our retail business." Sportun said Mac's stores would post notices at their entrances and on their in-store media screens advising customers of their intention to broadcast images of individuals who commit criminal acts on their property. Once a suspect is arrested, their image will be taken down and replaced with the title `apprehended.' "We have the technology and we are going to use it," said Tom Moher, Mac's vice-president of operations in Central Canada. "By using social media, we will reach a more diverse demographic in our effort to combat crime and enhance public safety." Working in partnership with law enforcement and Crime Stoppers, Mac's goal is to: · Create awareness of retail crime · Expose individuals who commit criminal acts against Mac's by posting their images on Facebook and Twitter · Provide the public with a conduit to report criminals anonymously through Crime Stoppers · Assist law enforcement in identifying offenders, especially repeat offenders · Enhance the safety and security of Mac's customers and employees Individuals who have any information that will assist investigators are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or text `Tip201' with a message to 274637 (crimes). Along with posting surveillance images, Mac's will also be covering the $200 reward paid out by Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest. The Mac's Crime Busters social media pages can be found at www.facebook.com/ MacsCrimeBusters and www.twitter.com/ MacsCrimeBuster. Register for water festival Join me in building a great future for our kids. Announcing the Reach Out Centre for Kids Annual General Meeting featuring HGTV's Bryan Baeumler and a special announcement about our new building campaign. Open to all families and especially our kids. Conservation Halton and Halton Region will be co-hosting the seventh annual Halton Children's Water Festival (HCWF) Sept. 25 to 28 and registration is now open. The festival educates children about water and is once again being held outdoors at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton. Teachers can register their classes through the event website at www.hcwf.ca. The presentation has grown every year since it began in 2006. Grade two students were added in 2007, and the event expanded from three to four days in 2008. Attendance has also risen from 3,000 students in 2006 to an anticipated 4,200 students in 2012. Teachers are encouraged to register their classes early; however, registrations will be accepted until Sept. 11. A new feature for 2012 will include a pilot project incorporating a French language option for Grade 5 students on Thursday, Sept. 27. The festival is offered to Halton schools at a cost of $5 per child, which includes a full day at the event and transportation to and from it. For information, visit www.hcwf.ca. Create your own backyard retreat Protect your family from the elements and still enjoy natural light Tuesday, June 26, 2012 7 - 9 pm ROCK Reach Out Centre for Kids Head Ofce 471 Pearl Street Burlington, ON L7R 4M4 RSVP as space is limited: rsvp@rockonline.ca Patio Covers and Enclosures Enjoy maintenance-free outdoor living, all year long Turn sun-baked patios and decks into cool, softly lit outdoor living space. eect up to of the heat, block harmful rays and let the light shine through. Maintenance-free living. Ask about our amazing 30 year warranty! T K OU CHEC N-LINE O OUR JECT O PR ERY GALL Your Permanent Awning Solution www.naturallightpatiocovers.com www.naturallightpatiocovers.com 1.877.707.7427 w 1-877-707-7427