Mayor's Report
Waste Watch program unveiled
By Marolyn Morrison

I am a strong believer that it takes an entire community working together to make it safe. That is why, I was so pleased when Waste Management Inc. (the waste collection agency serving the City of Mississauga and the City of Brampton) delegated the Peel regional council to unveil their new program entitled Waste Watch.

They have more than 20,000 trained individuals servicing these communities on a daily bases with more consistency than parcel delivery services, or anyone else. Waste Management Inc. employees have been trained to be observant and report accidents and/or suspicious situations to the police. Each truck is equipped with a two-way radio or cell phone. Drivers and their helpers have undergone training to spot and report anything suspicious or dangerous to their dispatcher or directly to 9-1-1.

The Waste Watch program is a partnership with Waste Management Inc., law enforcement, emergency services, Highway Watch, Neighbourhood Watch and Amber Alert. This program only makes sense as those same individuals employed by Waste Management Inc., generally live and raise their families in the very same communities that they work in.

It takes businesses, volunteer organizations, law enforcement, fire and emergency services and individual residents working together to keep our community safe. Parents need to know where their children are and what they are doing. Neighbours need to be observant.

In Caledon, we have many wonderful organizations that work together to make our community the best place to live, work and raise a family. There are many ways that residents and businesses can participate in this process.

Caledon is the founding municipality of the Road Watch program that is now used throughout the entire province of Ontario and other Canadian provinces. Road Watch targets dangerous and aggressive driving. How many times have you witnessed someone speeding or driving recklessly? Now is your chance to do something about it. Write down as many details as you can (the licence plate number, the make and model of the vehicle, the colour, if the driver is male or female). The more details the better. Then fill out a Road Watch form (available online at www.roadwatch.ca or at Town Hall). The owner will receive a warning letter from the OPP about their driving. If you witness something that requires immediate attention (i.e. a potential drunk driver), please contact the OPP using your cellular phone by pressing *OPP (*677).

With your help, Caledon will remain a strong vibrant community that is safe for our residents to enjoy all that Caledon has to offer.