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Vol. 133 No. 37 PORT PERRY - WED., AUGUST 4, 1999 Crackdown on vandals By Chris Hall Port Perry Star Durham Regional Police have stepped up their patrq}s in an effort to combat the growing problem of vandalism and mischief in Port Perry. Increasing police presence in general and having officers keep closer tabs on areas frequented by van- dals has helped bring the number of incidents down the past couple of weeks, says Inspector Chuck Mercier. "We have stepped up our patrols and focused on those areas a bit more, and we've also questioned the kids hanging around the areas that have been prone to vandalism in the past," he said. "When the situation comes to light, when they real- ize we're taking a closer look at these particular areas, then (vandals) cease their actions. We've had no reports of vandalism or mischief yet this week," Insp. Mercier said last Friday. Over the past month, vandals have been spray- painting buildings, roads and street signs, and have intimidated residents at a seniors' building on Ash St. Merchants and residents are growing increasingly irritated with the vandalism -- especially when they find profanities painted on their buildings -- and are looking to the police to address the problem. ) "We're doing what we have to do; there is always some sort of nuisance or mischief going on, and what we have to do is analyze it and see if there is a pattern. Certain groups like to target specific areas and others have markings they like to leave," said Insp. Mercier. Police have beefed up patrols, and officers are doing spotchecks throughout town while on duty, he said. "This sort of thing is really more of a nuisance; last summer they vandalized a lot of the parks in the area and this year they're spray-painting." Anyone with any information of recent incidents of vandalism or mischief is asked to call Durham Regional Police at 579-1520, extension 2672. Ceremonial swords among items stolen Durham Regional Police are investigating a burglary in the Purple Hill area that they think may be linked to similar thefts over the past cou- ple of years. Thieves entered the Purple Hill Orange Hall on Shirley Rd. sometime between July 26 and 28, by forcing a rear door. Once inside, they made off with two antique tables, several chairs, two wooden pedestals, and four ceremonial swords. Constable Al Robins said that the thefts are similar in nature to earlier thefts at Orange and Masonic Halls in the northern area of the region. Police are speculating that the thefts are the work of someone knowledgeable in the value of the items taken. DYNAMIC + TurtleWe x 4 oF 3; x ¥ J. PETER HVIBSTEN / PORT PERRY STAR CHAMPIONSHIP STYLE - Local waterski competi- tor Dave Mann returned over the weekend from Safari Lake near Milgrove, with the Eastern Canadian Waterski Championship under his belt. Regional Police force, has only been skiing com- petitively for two years, but his latest victory qual- ifies him for the Canadian Championships in Abbotsford, British Columbia later this year. See page four for more photos and story. nd VN ND oF NSS AV = 3a mV, [ Mr. Mann, a 26-year veteran of the Durham ACI /AN | Im AVV/ NS ime Si lel camo {dE AR =e P= P= | COIN OPERATION = FRESH, SOFT WATER = FOAM BRUSHES = DRYING TOWELS . = VACUUMS ala pel) Voy (ef Yol hg (a Mody B""/-%Y = FRESH SOFT WATER TRIPLE FOAM WAX HOT WAX UNDERCARRIAGE WASH = WHITEWALLS TOUCHLESS DRYER Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5:30 = Sat. 8:30-5 » Sun. 11-3 Open 24 hours -7 days a week (SV NSF Ng -- |»