Residents assist OPP in keeping Caledon safe
By DOUG BEFFORT Ward 1 Area Councillor

During my campaign for elected office in the Town of Caledon one of the most prominent issues mentioned by residents was the volume and speed of vehicles on our Caledon roads.

Since my election the topic continues to be first and foremost on the minds of my constituents. Not a day goes by that someone does not mention the frustrations of dealing with cars and trucks that are speeding on our town roadways.

There is a way that you can help to reduce this serious situation!

Dealing with this issue is complex and frustrating. A situation has been created in which the Town of Caledon's roads are being used more and more by through traffic, traffic to and from vacation properties; homes purchased in smaller villages to the north to escape higher prices in Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga and local traffic, as well.

Caledon OPP is doing an admirable job of dealing with the immensity of this issue. They have developed 10 hot spots to concentrate on traffic zones that have been identified as major risk areas. Their work is paying off in lower accident rates and fatalities in these areas. They do their utmost to patrol all areas in the Caledon zone but simply don't have enough manpower to be in all places at the same time.

Inspector Andy Karski of our OPP has agreed to look at unique ways to deal with the issue. It is our job to assist. One outstanding opportunity is already operating within Caledon but is underutilized at the moment. We have a Road Watch program supported by the Police Advisory Committee in Caledon. Thanks to Jackie Flynn and a small group of residents, the Road Watch program is available to local residents to assist our police department and to make some serious statements to the travelling public in our community.

Road Watch means that all of us should be on constant duty to supplement our officers. By observing poor driving practices, high rates of speed and dangerous activities and then reporting those occurrences to the OPP via the Road Watch program we can do our part to deal with this serious issue. The Road Watch program has recently moved online to accept resident reports. To date, our local police department has acted upon 100 per cent of occurrences reported via Road Watch. When offences are reported by using the Road Watch forms or the Online reporting program the owner of the vehicle being reported receives a letter from our OPP. Numerous complaints to the same vehicle receive more intensive response. In addition, if numerous complaints are directed to the Road Watch program about a specific area or zone, the OPP can highlight the area as one that requires some increased attention.

The importance of the issue of volume and speed of traffic in Caledon is being considered in many different ways. With the assistance of all residents perhaps we can develop some workable ideas to reduce its impact on the lives of our families. In the meantime I encourage all residents to become active Road Watch participants. Display a Road Watch decal on your vehicles. Use the reporting forms and online reporting opportunities. Make note of the infractions that are concerning you. Work with our police department to highlight when, where and who is violating the rules of our roads.

For more information about Road Watch and to buydecals for your home and autos, contact Jackie Flynn, chair of the Road Watch committee at 519- 927-3581 or contact the Town of Caledon or the local OPP detachment.