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Page 16 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, April 2, 1997 Section Two Retailers Advised on How to Avoid Being Robbed About 30 local retailers attended a police seminar in Bowmanvillc last Wednesday to learn how to avoid being a target for armed robbers. The Durham Regional Police arranged seminars across their jurisdiction on March 26 in response to a rise in the number of violent robberies robberies over the past year.. The number one tip police offered to shopkeepers is to keep the line of "natural surveillance" surveillance" clear. The number one tip police offered to shopkeepers is to keep the line of "natural surveillance" surveillance" clear That means freeing storefront storefront windows of sale signs, displays, and coming events posters that obstruct the view into and out of the shop. Bandits deliberately look for cash registers that cannot be seen from the street, reasoning reasoning that the more cluttered the window, the less chance there is of someone seeing the crime. Ideally, check-outs should be visible from the street to deter criminals. Other things that make some stores a target are:, •poorly lit outside areas, •access to a good escape route, and •employees who are not alert. A good prevention against, robbery is having staff trained to greet and make eye contact with customers. It is also a good practice to deposit large sums of .money throughout the day at the bank or a secured drop safe on the premises. Retailers may also wish to post signs near the cash register register noting that there is "minimal "minimal cash in the till," giving would-be robbers the idea it would not be worth the trouble trouble to rob the store. Printed stickers are available through the local police station. Shhhhh! It's Noise Awareness Day A minute of silence is not only golden, but can help you appreciate the amount of noise everyone lives with on a.daily basis. Wednesday, April 30, is International Noise Awareness Day in Clarington. The municipality joins cities from across Canada and abroad to observe the day, thanks to the ongoing attempts by a number number of groups, including Canada's own Citizen's Coalition Against Noise (CCAN). A letter to Clarington Council from Ken Burford, Acting President of CCAN, says this day will "help raise awareness of the citizens of Clarington to the damaging effects of noise." In the information supplied supplied by Burford it is suggested suggested that residents take a one- minute break from noise between 2:15 and 2:16 on April 30. P an * c - cd moves could be fatal. Be characteristics, the weapon Let the robber know you sure the bandit has cleared the and the means and direction ' r'n-nnr*rntin rr Inu» tm* UmLIin^ Lr>f.> n ,. l « I. it _ r Don't ignore your sixth lions. sense, police advise. If you Police also provided Let me roDDer know you sure the bandit has cleared the and the n eel something isn t right -- instructions on what to do if are co-operating. Follow his building before you lock the of escape, lor instance, if someone sus- you are robbed. orders precisely and calmly. store and call police or 911 For your robbery proven- Hndmr al , A ^? VC al1 ' . lhe vi ? lim Thd robbcr wants quh* If you arc held up, try to lion kit, contact the Durban- closing lime, take prccau- should not resist or show compliance -- any uncxpcct- observe the person's physical Regional Police at 579-1520. Spring Prices in effect from April 2nd until April 8th, 1997 A Direct sun is not too strong for most plants in winter, but as it increases in intensity toward pi^ summer, plants may have to be moved IP' further from the glass or shaded by a net curtain. Cool rooms prolong blooms: The flowering period of certain house plants can be prolonged if they are placed in a cool part of the house as soon as the buds • begin to open. Garden Gallery Garden Soil Superior quality garden soil and convenient size. 30 L. Bag 4-step Lawn Care Fertilizer Programs Complete fertilizer programs for a beautiful lawn. See in store for details. Priced from... 6439 V/ ■ I Complete Program Tropical Hanging Baskets These hanging baskets make a beautiful addition to any home or office. 10" pot. i99 Each Little Giant Globe Cedar These cedars make a great hedge or screen, 1 gal. pot. Roses A bea.utiful and fragrant all time favourite. Freshly cut. 9 4 99 Each 9 Beautiful Maple Trees Choice of 2 popular varieties: Royal Red or Princeton Gold (not shown). 175 cm. 99 Dozen 29 99 Each Peat Pellets 100% peat. Add water and watch it swell to give <f~\ a your seeds a r head start. ^ Each Window Garden Kits Contains everything you need to grow indoor gardens. Choose from Herb Garden or i qQ Kid's Garden. Each Rekker's § HWY «2 | 1 + ■ REKKER'S V j 1 1 r- in BLOOR ST. * ! HWY. 401 2258 HWY.#2 RR.#6 BOWMANVILLE Open Year round 6 days a week CLOSED SUNDAY TEL. 623-2300 FAX. 623-6130