Police urging parents to see to the street proofing of their children

As everyone patiently awaits the arrival of spring, Caledon OPP recommend parents take time to talk to their children about protecting themselves from strangers on the streets.

As the nicer weather approaches, children are out on the streets, walking to school, riding their bikes and playing in the neighbourhoods. Caledon is a safe community, however everyone must prepare themselves for the possibility of dangers that could target the children.

Parents are urged to review these safety tips with their children: • When walking to school or the store, always go with a buddy. • Let your parents or caregiver know where you are going and which route you will be taking. • Do not approach or enter a stranger's vehicle or home. • Do not talk or accept any gifts from a stranger. • If a suspicious person or vehicle approaches, get away from there and go to the nearest safe place. Talk to your children about what is a safe place if they need help. • If possible, remember the licence plate of a suspicious vehicle and make a report to police as soon as possible after an incident.

It is always a good idea to develop a "what if" game when street proofing children. This technique will help them think about how they would react in certain situations.

Safety in our communities is a shared concern and responsibility. By working together to strengthen the communities in which we live, we will contribute to an even safer environment.

Traffic

Caledon OPP officers responded to 23 motor vehicle collisions during this seven day period ending Monday.

School bus mishap

A school bus lost a rear tire as it was travelling north on Regional Road 50, north of Ellwood Drive in Bolton March 17. The female driver was the only occupant of the bus at the time and was not injured. The bus company has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act with permitting the operation of an unsafe vehicle, and the driver was charged with operating an unsafe vehicle under the Highway Traffic Act.

Alcohol and driving

A March 19 Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) spot check on Airport Road near Leamster Trail resulted in a vehicle stop. The driver, a 43-year-old man from Mono Township, was arrested and charged with impaired driving and driving a motor vehicle with more than 80 mgs. of alcohol in 100 mls. of blood.

A vehicle stop for traffic enforcement on Old School Road near Highway 10 March 19 resulted in charges against a 45-year-old man from Caledon. He was charged with impaired driving and driving a motor vehicle with more than 80 mgs. of alcohol in 100 mls. of blood.

A 40-year-old woman from Nobleton was charged March 21 with driving a motor vehicle with more than 80 mgs. of alcohol in 100 mls. of blood after she was stopped on Ann Street near Stern Street in Bolton.

Atraffic stop on Highway 9 near Glen Haffy Road March 23 led to a criminal charge of driving a motor vehicle with more than 80 mgs. of alcohol in 100 mls. of blood against an 18-yearold man from Caledon.

Assault

Caledon OPP received a report of a man causing a disturbance at a retail store on McEwan Drive in Bolton March 19.

He had caused some minor damages within the store and threatened the staff. He had left the store before police arrived, but was located a short time later and arrested. Police said he resisted arrest and struggled with the officers. The 42- year-old man from Caledon was charged assault with intent to resist arrest, mischief and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Mischief

A rear window of a parked car was smashed while it was in the driveway of a King Street West residence in Bolton March 22.

Two homeowners on Sunkist Valley Road in Bolton report damage to their properties by eggs March 22.

A home on Edmund Street in Alton was hit by eggs as well march 22.

A car parked at an Alderbrook Place residence was damaged by spray paint as well as two cars parked on Taylorwood Avenue March 23.

Eggs were thrown at a Riverwood Terrace home March 23.

Stolen vehicles

A vehicle was reported stolen March 18 from the driveway of a Dingle Court home during the night. The owner stated the vehicle was locked at the time of the theft.

Two snowmobiles were confirmed stolen March 19 from a storage location on Highway 10 near King Street sometime over the previous couple of days. It appears the machines were driven from the storage location through a hole in the fence. Two additional snowmobiles may have also been stolen at the same time. Attempts to contact the registered owners of those machines are being made to determine if they were in fact stolen as well.

Younth charged

The driver of a vehicle involved in a collision on Centreville Creek Road near Castlederg Side Road was charged March 17. A 17- year-old male from Caledon has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and obstructing or resisting police.

Any information regarding the above investigations can be forwarded to Caledon OPP at (905) 584-2241, the Bolton office of Caledon OPP at (905) 857-3304 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 222-TIPS. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and callers could be eligible for a cash reward.