Inglewood residents and police talk crime

ByRobyn Wilkinson, Enterprise Staff
Article from the Caledon Enterprise, Wednesday, August 6 2008

Caledon, ON - Caledon OPP officers were both criticized and praised by area residents during an information meeting last week about vandalism and mischief issues at the Inglewood branch of the Caledon Public Library.

The July 30 meeting put on by the Policing Advisory Council of Caledon (PACC) and OPP drew less than 20 residents from across the Town to the 7 p.m. gathering designed to hear and respond to residents' concerns on crime.

"We can boast that Caledon is the safest community in Canada because of the partnership with the community, the police and elected officials," pointed out PACC chair Kevin Junor. "It's important that we work together to address these issues and talk about how to keep it safe."

Talking openly was encouraged by police and organizers and some residents did just that. One resident in particular had concerns about the lack of police presence in the quiet Village of Inglewood. "Where are you, because I don't ever see you," one woman questioned in regards to officers with the community response unit who patrol, not only in vehicles, but on foot and bicycles throughout Caledon. "Why aren't there more police officers on this side (west Caledon)?"

"I've patrolled Inglewood many times and it's fairly sleepy for the most part, but it does have some pockets (of trouble)," Caledon OPP Sergeant Nikki Randall told the audience. "We are here, we are out there," but added, "it's hard for everyone to see us, but we are here."

Residents aired concerns about the amount of mischief that's been happening in the small community. Just like any other town or village experiencing vandalism problems, Inglewood residents are no strangers to annoyances and damage. Everything from paint on garage doors to burning bags of feces was brought to the attention of officers.

Damage to the community gazebo last year appeared to be a sore topic among residents who were disappointed to see lattice that had been torn off by vandals not replaced. "We're letting the ruffians win," a man pointed out. "An easy way to prevent it from happening again is to not replace the gazebo, that's the sad part, we let the bad guys win." Ward 1 Regional Councillor Richard Paterak responded by saying that the gazebo had been built before the Town started using a crime prevention design approach (CEPTED). "That's why if we had to do it over again that lattice would never have gone in," Paterak said. "So it's not a place where people can lurk and not be identified."

Residents said they believe that damage to communities is being caused by teenage mischief-makers. "That is what we get called about a lot," Randall responded. "Is it rampant? No - but it is the call we get the most, but it's not all teenagers, it's young adults as well." Some in the audience spoke openly about their frustrations with what they say appears to be a lack of visible police presence.

"I'm not blaming the police, I'm just saying you don't have enough officers and they're not strategically placed. You need to have a satellite office on this side." "We would love to see more police presence," added Belfountain resident Betty Burgoyne. "In my opinion there isn't enough, not nearly enough."

Increasing police resources is one tool to fighting crime however, it comes with a steep price tag and doesn't necessarily mean mischief will end, police pointed out. "It depends on how much you want to spend on policing," said OPP Staff Sergeant Greg Sweeney of the costly effort that would increase taxes.

A first class constable can cost upwards of $100,000, police said. "

A lot of policing has to do with the community and how to help police solve and treat problems," Sweeney said. "We depend on citizens in the community to stand up and provide information as witnesses. People know exactly who it is that is doing it. Witnessing and not saying something doesn't prevent the crime in the Town from happening, it just perpetrates it."

"If people take the head in the sand approach, nobody wins," Sweeney added. "We need people to assist us to help solve the crime in the community."

The best time for police to make an arrest is when criminal activities are happening, the officers pointed out. They encouraged residents to phone in with their concerns. Residents wanted to know what is being done to engage Caledon's youth and what programmes are in place for youth in the community.

Community Relations Officer Linda Kennedy pointed out that the Town of Caledon operates the Flipside skateboard park and Mobile Youth Services, which travel across the Town to communities like Inglewood, offering a variety of gaming activities to occupy youths until 9 p.m.

"It gives them something to do from 5 to -9 p.m. and that's probably what's happening here, parents probably aren't saying 'be home at 9:05'," said Kennedy.

However, some residents said that video games and ping pong is not the answer. Children need more community activities to expel their energy.

Frank Guzzo, a Bolton business owner and Palgrave resident, came to police defence. "We can't blame the police for what's happening," said Guzzo, whose business has been vandalized repeatedly by graffiti in the past. "Parents ought to know where their children are."

Luckily the vandals in Guzzo's mischief case were caught, while many other cases have gone unsolved.