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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 23, 2013 | 6 Helping make Halton the safest region There is little doubt that illegal drug use is a scourge on any community. Criminal drug activity is often the vortex of which many other crimes spin off -- such as theft, robbery and assault. Therefore, it makes sense for police services to direct added attention towards combating illegal drug use. According to Halton Police Chief Steven Tanner, the local police service has increased resources directed at drug enforcement, which may be helping to drive down other crimes. Tanner made the observation in the wake of the release of Statistics Canada's 2012 Crime Severity Index, which indicated that Halton Region is the safest of 49 Canadian communities surveyed with populations of more than 100,000. The survey indicated Halton had: · The lowest overall Crime Severity Index (28.59 in 2012, down from 33.6 in 2011 and 37.0 in 2010) · The lowest Violent Crime Severity Index (23.59 in 2012, compared to 28.2 in 2011 and 28.0 in 2010) · The lowest Non-Violent Crime Severity Index (30.36 in 2012, down from 35.7 in 2011 and 40 in 2010) Canada, as a whole, has seen a decrease in its score from 77.6 in 2011 to 75 in 2012. Tanner indicated other factors may be at play in Halton, such as an aging population and more visible police presence but we agree with police board member and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton that increased drug enforcement is paying off in a "better community." Stats Canada's numbers seem to back up that claim. Halton police continually remind residents to contact Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug-, gang- or gun-related activity at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting `Tip201' with your message to 274637 (crimes). Editorial B R I N G I N G L I "Connected to your Community" G H T 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 101 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production Member of CAW Local 707 John Fitzgerald, left, and president of CAW Local 707 Gary Beck recently installed a recess light in the Lighthouse for Grieving Children's Volcano Room as part of the United Way's Days of Caring initiative. The Oakville Labour Council has been long-time partners of the United Way movement. | photo by Hannah Yoon ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution The value behind a `Mcjob' Julia Hanna Oakville Chamber of Commerce Chair My View CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager hen looking to hire entry level employees, many employers look for individuals with experience in the service sector. A year or more working in an A&W, McDonald's, Tim Hortons, Wendy's or in the retail sector, provides practical work experience and teaches invaluable life lessons. Meet Cathy Bennett. She is the CEO of the Bennett Group of Companies, based in St. John's, N.L. At 16, Cathy worked on the counter at a local McDonald's. In 1999, she acquired seven McDonald's outlets, and has since added one more. She has expanded her company to six businesses, W either wholly or partly owned. The Bennett Group takes in $35 million in annual revenue and has 800-1,200 employees, depending on the season. Cathy says, "I started when I was 16, when I rst worked at McDonald's as a front-line counter person. Two years later, I was running a restaurant as a store manager with 50 employees and a management team of 10. In franchise systems, processes and procedures are well documented. As long as you were a good communicator and were rm and fair as a manager, it's a business you can be successful in." Working in fast-food, retail or other service sector jobs doesn't always provide a career today, but it may tomorrow. The service sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy. Young people learn what it takes to succeed. They learn how to interact with customers, the value of hard work, the importance of See Building on p.8 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: ATHENA Award The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver. com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.