Foot patrols and new OPP building addressed
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

The creation of a foot patrol for the 10 traffic hot spots and the search for a new Caledon OPP headquarters were the key items Caledon OPP's detachment commander talked about in his quarterly report to Caledon council recently.

Inspector Andy Karski told council he will also have the foot patrols target Bolton, Alton and Inglewood. He added their biggest input will be visibility. The police know the locations where vandalism is occurring.

The foot patrol team also conducts RIDE spot checks and there have been many arrest for drinking and driving, Karski said. People charged will lose their licence for 90 days.

The foot patrol crew is also being deployed to park areas. Karski said their progress particularly in the Bolton area has been very good.

The inspector also addressed the status of the current detachment building in Caledon East which he said no longer meets the needs of the police and the community.

"It is unworkable," he said.

He requested council conduct a property search for a new building and he recommended the Caledon East area. He explained the new building would replace the Caledon East office and amalgamate the Caledon village office.

He understands funds do exist at Peel region for a new detachment building. "More than enough funds exist for that facility to be built," he said.

He told Councillor Allan Thompson he's hoping for land adjacent to where the proposed Caledon East arena is going.

Councillor Richard Paterak told Karski he's glad the police have taken RIDE to the rural roads. Paterak said the perception is this is where people can drive when they don't have a licence or insurance.

"We're stopping them where they don't expect us," Karski said.

Councillor Nancy Stewart wanted to know what the police were doing to address the problem of graffiti.

Karski replied there's no one answer for graffiti, but he is dedicating the foot patrol team to it. He added the community knows who's doing it, but they don't let the police know.

"It goes beyond just picking up the phone and complaining," he said. "It's vandalism."