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6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, May 25,1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Ep > PORT PERRY STAR Q Editorial Comment Working With The Police While crime statistics in the larger met- ropolitan areas continued to increase, |@& criminal activity in Durham Region saw the inverse during the first quarter of this year. oo | Durham Regional Police Service's Criminal Activity Report shows a drop in almost every area of criminal activity dur- ing the first quarter of this year from Jan- uary to March. The statistics include a 21.5-per cent decrease in crimes against persons, a 3.1-per cent drop in crimes against prop- erty and a 23.9-per cent drop in criminal code driving offences. Motor vehicle acci- dents was the only area to experience an increase with a 2.2-per cent rise in cases. Statistics show a drop in the number of calls for service for the period as well. From January to March, officers respond- ed to 31,783 calls, compared to 32,371 calls during the same period in 1993 -- a drop of 1.8 per cent. The statistics for 26 Division copied the regional trend. Calls for service in the area fell from 2,189 calls from January to March of 1993 to 2,175 for the same peri- od of this year. Crimes against persons fell dramatically from 134 in 1993 to 64 for the same period this year, criminal code driving offences dropped to 22 in 1994 from 40 a year earlier, while the number of motor vehicle accidents de- creased to 207 from-230 in 1993. The only area to see a rise in statistics was crimes against property which rose slightly to 588 this year, from 544 for the first three months of 1994. Durham police officials credit the de- creased crime statistics over the past few years to a more community-minded meth- od of policing. The officers are now work- ing closer with the community to ensure the needs of the community are being ad- dressed. Police Week, which saw officers set up displays to explain their jobs last week, was a perfect example of the lengths to which the police departments are going in order to regain the trust and faith of the community. This is the key with community polic- ing. The officers and the public must work together to keep the criminals from taking over the streets. The police departments are doing their part to ensure the crime statistics do not rise again, let us now do our part and work together with the police depart- ments in the fight. ITORIAL Is NV i WHO THE S ---------- CI ------ (} AR HY 3A NE SW ag DAD Ts is Zine GREAT FUN, BOT aq \icoriA* ayy of i - i ) ~ WW, a \7% Heck \S --' ----egp---- = TT ---- cm I _ETTERS New ball diamonds are great, but need work To the Editor: [ have been a participant in Lob Ballin Port Perry for almost 10 years now. I think the new diamonds behind the are- na are a wonderful idea, however, before anyone gets injured the township needs to put a few more hours into them. The outfield in many places is rough, with rocks imbedded securely into the ground, this poses the potential for inju- ry, as many fielders will dive, or slide to attain that fly ball or moving grounder. These rocks can and will rip somebody's leg apart or hand or elbow, etc. Now, many associations use these dia- monds for games, practices, and tourna- ments, so the potential becomes greater with each use as the top soil wears down to continually expose inore rocks. Also, I'd like to mention the lack of fences. These can also pose a hazard, es- pecially where the ditches are deep and still quite wet. A snow fence can help with this problem by at least providing some kind of indicator as to where the ditches are. Many ball players will continue to go to certain tournaments based on man- agement and conditions. I'm sure that Port Perry would like to continue the great reputation it has for well run tour- Turn to Page 7 Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten FEUD THREATENS COMMUNITY There appears to be a conflict brewing over a roposed gambling acility to be built on Scugog Island. Hopefully before everyone jumps on the bandwagon and picks a side to support or fight they will attempt to find out the facts. We've seen this type of feud split the community too often over the years. The community has been split, stem to stern over issues like the penitentiary, wide- ning of Simcoe St. (formerly Lilla St.) and the construction of a new library facility at the lakefront. Long-time friendships were tainted for years and families were torn apart because of differing opinions on some of these issues and in the long run, it did nothing but hurt the community as a whole. We can only hope that common sense will prevail and this does not happen again. The issue at hand in this case is the possi- ble construction of a 25,000 sq. ft. facility on First Nation land on Scugog Toland to be used for bingo and gambling. While some are already describing it as a "Monte Carlo style Casino," Chief Gary Edgar downplays that term saying itis nothing more than a "charitable gaming facility," providing bingo every night, and gambling on weekends with black jack tables, roulette and wheels of fortune. At first glance this may sound like a casi- no to some, but with the absence of slot machines it is really no more than any local organization could operate. We already have a number of grou who operate bingos in the area, and almost any organization can hold a "Monte Carlo" style night by renting black jack tables, wheel of fortunes, etc. from a local rental store to use for a fund-raising event. The main difference as I see it, with the limited information I have to date, is the fact the First Nation proposal would have these games being available all year round, and what impact will that have on the com- munity. It's just too early to tell! Whether it's called a casino or a gaming facility is not as important at this point, as it is to clear up any misconceptions about what is being proposed. To that end, MP Alex Shepherd has pro- sed a public meeting be held in early Pee at the Latcham Centre, while it has been reported Chief Gary Edgar says they will hold their own information meeting in the First Nation Community Hall on Scugog Island. This does not bode for a good start. It appears the sides are already digging in, and that can only create hostility. What is needed now, more than anything else, is co- operation and understanding by everyone concerned. Let's get all the information out on the table and try to discuss this like mature, sensible adults before taking sides. If this issue isn't resolved amicably it will have an adverse effect on Scugog. And if it ets ugly, the serenity of the communit will be rocked by the negative publicity of the national media. Don't think it can't happen! Native issues are high profile news items in the '90s and this issue has all the makings of a great news story for the media. For the sake of this terrific community, let's try and resolve this by ourselves. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Port Perry Star encourages its readers to make use of the letters to the editor column to express their opinions and viewpoints on just about any subject, as we feel a lively letters column will help make this a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that all letter writers sign their name and include a phone number for verification. Sorry, anonymous letters will not be published unless The Star believes it to be in the best interest of the public. We also reserves the nght to edit letters with respect to their length, content or libelous comments 1 fl { { { | { | ¢ : t | | | { TF mn a edn pn"