3 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A pril 2,2020 insidehalton.com At Village Orthodontics in Oakville, we specialize in beautiful smiles using clear aligners and traditional braces. New Patients Welcome Schedule your complimentary consultation today! 647-496-1424 2-2983 Westoak Trails Blvd. Oakville villageortho.ca Book your Personalized Smile Consultation today Make yourself comfortable V for Vistamere Vistamere Retirement Residence is nestled in a quiet neighbourhood in south Oakville. Independent and locally owned, incredibly comfortable and reasonably priced. Come see it for yourself. BOOK A TOUR TODAY 380 Sherin Drive Oakville, Ontario L6L 4J3 905.847.1413 vistamere.ca Like us on While most people are self-isolating in their homes, Halton police offi- cers are still on the front lines working to keep the community safe. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Halton police say for the most part it is business as usual for them. When residents call 911 officers will still respond, COVID-19 or no COVID-19, says Const. Steve Elms. "Crime doesn't stop, emergencies don't stop and the need for emergency ser- vices including police don't necessarily stop during times like this," said Elms. "We have to maintain that level of operability where we can respond to emergency calls and even non-emergency calls." But how are police keep- ing safe themselves. Elms said while many non-frontline officers are now working from home and police facilities in Hal- ton have been closed to non- emergencies, investiga- tions and interviews are continuing with officers practicing social distancing while speaking with people when possible. "When someone calls in- to our communications centre and requests to see an officer they are being asked COVID-19 screening questions," said Elms. "We do have and encour- age the use of personal pro- tective equipment in terms of masks and gloves." Despite the danger of close contact during a pan- demic Elms acknowledged police can't always avoid it. "We still have to arrest people. This is not a free pass to commit offences whether it is a provincial of- fence or a criminal offence.fence or a criminal offence.f This doesn't mean people are allowed to get away with these things," said Elms. "We still unfortunately at times may have to go hands on with somebody and put them in handcuffs. There may still be alterca- tions and scuffles that sort of thing." NEWS LARGELY BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR HALTON POLICE #SUPPORTOURHEROES OFFICERS STILL OUT PROTECTING COMMUNITY DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic just days earlier didn't stop Const. Marc Taraso from searching for distracted drivers. Graham Paine/Torstar