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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 8, 2006 - 9 SAVE Instant Rebate 500 600 LennoxTM up $ $ to 00 Lennox Instant Rebate p l u s FREE LENNOX Air Cleaner with purchase of selected LENNOX products G61V Furnace Cannot be combined with any other offer. Financing Available O.A.C. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER · Call For FREE In-Home Estimate SIGN OF THE TIMES: Graffiti found on the wall around 1260 Marlborough Court. Parents can help curb vandalism H.V.A.C. SYSTEMS HEATING · AIR CONDITIONING · FIREPLACES 905-845-4009 1040 Speers Rd. Oakville www.atlantisair.com Continued from page 8 Abbey Lane community has been swallowing, but the torching of a stolen car alarmed the community. Resident Diane Mandel, a mother of five who said she's lived 16 years near Abbey Lane Public School told The Oakville Beaver she was awakened by the car's tires exploding. While Mandel said the community may develop a certain tolerance, she said there's a big line between loud music and cars being set on fire. Kelertas said his Pilgrim Wood neighbourhood has also experienced vandalism this summer. "There's been some vandalism at Pilgrim Wood School just down the road from us. There's a lot of graffiti in the neighbourhood," said Kelertas, noting complaints have also surfaced about noise from the Abbey Park High School parking lot and disruption on the trails at night. Kelertas said the Northwest Oakville CCC has dealt with vandalism issues -- issuing letters to residents about parental responsibilities -- as well as other neighbourhood concerns like speeding in West Oak Trails and summer safety newsletters to all the Ward 4 schools. The Halton District School Board does have a security company do after-hours patrols of its schools, but it's the police residents should call. And even though the police may not be able to do something immediately, the report can be used by groups like the CCC to track occurrences and identify trouble spots that are then targeted with stepped-up police enforcement or other programs. "The suggestion from police has always been, don't let these things go by," said Kelertas. "Call police and at least there will be a report, which provides police an opportunity to track occurrences," he said, noting if trends are apparent, resources will be deployed. There's also a role for parents to play -- a big one. Parents should know where their children are and in fact, the Ontario Child and Family Services Act stipulates that "no parent of a child less than 16 years of age shall permit the child to loiter in a public place between midnight and 6 a.m." In Ottawa, police were directed to enforce the curfew, issue warnings, and charge parents who breach the act -- which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and police are allowed to take a child home or to place of safety. Kelertas said youth officers in Halton are familiar with the curfew and often act on it. Vandalism may be present to some degree everywhere. However, in recent years, its results have alarmed the community on numerous occasions. In 2005, someone torched Pine Glen Park playground equipment just before Mother's Day, causing $100,000 in damage. The damage to the park located off Third Line south of Dundas Street marked the worst ever case of vandalism in an Oakville park. The playground equipment had been installed in 2003, the same year fire destroyed the playground equipment at Pilgrim Wood Junior YMCA Childcare Centre at Pilgrim Wood Public School on Pilgrim's Way. Vandals had also burned a portion of that playground equipment when it was first being installed. Playground equipment at St. Bernadette School was also damaged by fire that same year. Earlier this summer, new swing set equipment being installed at Pilgrim Wood School, wasn't "nailed down" overnight, and ended up scattered throughout the trails, according to Elgar. The councillor said acts of vandalism, fires in ravines and underage drinking are happening across town. Much of the vandalism at schools goes unnoticed as the school boards attempt to clean up vandalism by the next day, so no one realizes it happened, he said. Halton District School Board Facilities Superintendent Gerry Cullen said while the car fire at Abbey Lane Public School was unusual, occurrences of vandalism at that school aren't any more prevalent than at any other school. According to Cullen, it isn't necessarily during the summer, but near the end of the school year that vandalism reaches its peak at schools. "Some people, as their departing gesture, feel the need to do something," said Cullen. What has been happening more often, is not vandalism, but the attraction computers and digital equipment offer over the traditional blackboards and chalk in schools to would-be thieves, according to Cullen who said however, the equipment is secured and schools are equiped with security systems. Elgar said he understands residents' frustrations when they feel there's nowhere they can turn and noted the CCCs offer a focal point through which hot spots can be identified and then addressed. - Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. MATH SPELLING GRAMMAR This preschool teaches your child to read. Oxford Learning's Little Readers Academy is a funfilled way for your three to six-year-old to get ready for school and life. TM READING WRITING FRENCH STUDY SKILLS Contact us for more information or to book your no-obligation assessment. Little Reader Summer & Fall Registration NOW OPEN Maple Grove Village 511 Maple Grove Dr. Suite 2, Oakville (905) 849-4027 1131 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville (905) 469-1929 380 Dundas St. E. Oakville (905) 257-1207 Voted Best Learning Centre www.oxfordlearning.com