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"A Family Tradition for 131 Years" RIDE, other patrols | nab another 19 drunk drivers here It would appear that the Durham Regional Police Just haven't got their mes- sage across to motorists in the region. According to figures released yesterday, police charged a total of 19 people last week for impaired driv- ing, up a startling 67 per cent from 1996. During the second week -- Dec. 1 to 7 -- of their six- week holiday RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program, police stopped and checked 12,475 vehicles in Scugog, Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby and Clarington. During their checks they gave 166 people roadside breath tests, and issued 27 "12-hour suspensions" for those registering a warn- ing. And as a result of the checks, 12 people were charged with driving with over 80 mgs., while no one was charged with refusing a breath test. Police also say that a total of 14 other charges were laid by RIDE staff during their checks includ- ing offenses such as pos- session of narcotics, causing a disturbance, assaulting a police officer, dangerous driving, and breaching pro- bation. An additional seven other impaired drivers were arrested and charged by officers on regular patrols. To date, 17,425 vehicles have been stopped by RIDE programs, up 40 per cent from the 12, 405 that were checked last year. The number of roadside breath tests have also climbed 48 per cent after 311 were issued this year, compared to 210 in 1996. Suspensions are up 39 per cent after 36 were 1ssued last year and 50 were handed out this year. Also, 25 people have been charged with impaired driving in 1997, up 67 per cent from the 15 caught last year. Police also report that the number of impaired drivers arrested by regular patrols have dropped 20 per cent after only 12 have been caught this year, down from the 15 in 1996. In total, 32 motorists have been charged with impaired driving since Durham's RIDE program hit the streets two weeks ago. Those charged with impaired driving will have their driver's licenses immediately suspended for 90 days by the Ministry of Transportation. Thieves steal school's computers, dump them Durham Regional Police were called to Prince Albert Public School Friday (Dec. 5) after thieves had broken into the school and removed two computers. Police say that sometime overnight between Dec. 4-5 thieves pried a metal screen off a window on the south side of the school and gained entrance into an office through the window. Once inside they removed two computer sys- tems and placed them on the lawn, outside of the window, say police. Then for unknown rea- sons, police believe the thieves became spooked and left the scene and the two computers on the ground. Be careful Durham Regional Police are also asking the public to take care when driving township roads. Police say that three vehicles slid into ditches in the township during the weekend because of bad road conditions. ! Because of the unchar- acteristic weather eondi- tions, Sgt. Ken Hudson, an officer at Port's 26 Division, is advising people to exer- cise caution when driving. "The temperatures are more like late fall, early spring and it's making for terrible conditions. There's dark ice, then it glazes over, becomes slushy and freezes. It's very treacherous out there," he said Monday. Do you like to drive? Community Care in Scugog is looking for drivers to deliver Meals on Wheels or drive clients to medical appointments or shopping. Compensation for gas is paid. To discuss being a volunteer driver, please call 985-8461 Just Arrived CRANBERRY GLASS 207 Queen St. Port Perry 29 Simcoe St. S. Oshawa PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 9, 1997 - 11 3 2 RN WS 'TIS THE SEASON.... For Christmas shopping. Henshall's Clothing was one popular business on the weekend when they held a two-day open house for customers. Offering a friendly atmosphere and apple cider, employees at the Queen St. store spent the day looking after shoppers. Here, Michelle Bonsma, left, and Michelle Hockley show off some of goods up for sale. "Evening ! Skaters" Special Plate 10% oft CHRISTMAS HOURS: MON. TO FRI. 9-8; SAT. 9-5; SUN. 12-4 He FRAMER'S GALLERY 237 Queen St., Port Perry 985-2543