Maclean's accolade is well-deserved, but Caledon must strive to keep it
Editorial

Is there any one who lives, works or plays in Caledon who is not aware of just how beautiful this place really is?

Perhaps some of us may not have realized how safe a community this is. it took an article in the the March 24 edition of Maclean's magazine to make a lot of people aware of it.

The article stated that of the 100 biggest cities and regions in Canada, Caledon is the safest. This conclusion, using 2006 data, combined statistics for six different types of crime; crime; murder, sexual assault, breaking and entering, vehicle theft, aggravated assault and robbery.

Caledon has never had a reputation for criminal activity, but according to the article, the statistics have shown notable improvement over the last several years. Caledon's score for these combined types of crime was 55 per cent below the national average in 1996, and 74 per cent below in 2001. In both of those years, Caledon was deemed the fifth safest place in the country. Now it's on top, with a rating that 107 per cent below the national average.

Mayor Marolyn Morrison was right to point a lot of the credit toward Caledon OPP. It is the officers of this detachment, the officers who actually go out and deal with the crime that occurs. But we also noted that both Morrison and Inspector Andy Karski, commander of Caledon OPP, put much of the credit on the involvement evident in the community.

And although the community does get involved, it was clear from several statements made at Tuesday's Town council meeting that there are areas where things can be improved, with more people being told what is actually being done in the community, and how more people can get involved. Karski told councillors, for example, that any time he meets with a group in the community, he makes a point of bringing up the RoadWatch program, which he basically explained offers the grass-rots community to get involved by identifying poor driving practices they see on the road, which police take very seriously. He also praised the help they get from community policing.

And it was also clear that no one is interested in resting on any laurels. Karski told councillors growth is being experienced in Caledon, and the challenge is going to be to make sure that growth doesn't outpace the infrastructure and supports that the community depends on. How true! But the point was also made that those in authority in Caledon are aware of these challenges, thus reducing the chances of unforeseen problems sneaking up.

Maintaining this safe status is something that can be maintained in Caledon, although it is going to require continued work on the part of the politicians, the police, various groups and agencies and the public. The community belongs to everyone, so everyone is expected to step up.

And that really shouldn't be too difficult. The whole point of the Maclean's article is Caledon is already doing well on that score.