Graffiti, bullying and child luring among topics discussed, Chamber and BIA hear from Lanark County's top cop
Posted Feb 4, 2010 By Tara Gesner
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Tweet ThisEMC News - During a breakfast networking and information session at the Carleton Heritage Inn, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Inspector Ray Westgarth was one of the guest speakers, touching on a number of topics including the town's graffiti problem, vandalism, theft, bullying and child luring by way of the Internet.
Guest speakers for the event also included members of the Police Services Board (PSB), including Carleton Place Mayor Paul Dulmage. Held on Jan. 13, the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce and Carleton Place BIA (Business Improvement Area) cohosted the educational and revealing affair.
Every municipality in the province with a police service must have a governing civilian board. The PSB is deemed to be a bridge between the community and the police.
Les Reynolds, director of protective services, spoke first. He thanked the Chamber and BIA for hosting the morning meeting.
"It really opens up the lines of communication," he said.
Dulmage, who chairs the PSB, said, "This type of meeting is very beneficial." "Often when someone suffers vandalism or loss at their place of business they don't know which way to turn."
He said the PSB takes vandalism very seriously, noting there is $10,000 in the budget for a vandalism reduction initiative.
The funds are set aside to pay for bicycle patrols that watch for people vandalizing public or private property.
"An increased presence of officers on bicycles has always been a priority," said Dulmage.
In the previous fiscal year, the Town of Carleton Place spent $13,000 on graffiti removal and matters dealing with vandalism.
At a breakfast gathering last October, the Chamber and BIA brought in guest speaker Cal Devlin of Graffiti Solutions Canada to shed some light on the subject. With 25 plus years of graffiti removal expertise and 10 years of supplying graffiti removal products, Devlin answered questions and provided tips and strategies for removing graffiti from buildings, signs and concrete.
Dulmage thanked members of the OPP for coming out to speak, acknowledging there was animosity from some residents - at first, when the OPP came to town.
"We have a stable police force, and many officers are long-standing members of the community," he said. "The services offered by our OPP are outstanding."
Addressing the well-attended event, Westgarth, who has spent 36 years as a policeman, joked that he is known as "the happiest man in the police force."
After bringing greetings from OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino, Westgarth praised the local PSB for being "very engaged and progressive with its policies."
Carleton Place's PSB consists of five members - two members of town council, one citizen of the community appointed by town council, and two citizens appointed by the province.
This coming December, Westgarth can retire - at the earliest.
"If this is my last year, what a great place to spend it - Lanark County," he said. "I don't want to go, and my wife doesn't want me at home, but some people say 36 years is a long time."
Graffiti and vandalism
In recent months, there have been acts of graffiti and vandalism throughout Carleton Place, targeting buildings, bridges, etc.
"Vandalism is a problem in Carleton Place, just like anywhere else," said Westgarth, and he urged business owners to report any graffiti they see to the OPP.
"The worst thing you can do is not call us," he added. "A nosy neighbour is the best crime fighter."
The Inspector said that most of the graffiti is simply tags (for artistic reasons) rather than gang-related graffiti.
"Professional taggers are out there to out do each other," he said.
What is the punishment for graffiti?
Westgarth said he (personally) supported the alternate measures program for youth.
The program sees the accused meet face-to-face with the victim, with the offended party getting to speak their peace.
"Embarrassment and shame is a wonderful tool," he said of the program's effectiveness. "However, the initiative is voluntary, and if they don't want to do it we go to court."
Councillor Dennis Burn said he once participated in one of these meetings. He cited an instance of a straight-A university student who was caught putting a dragon on the town's water tower just so he could impress his girlfriend.
"I will never forget the look on that student's face when his parents came into the room and heard what he did," said Burn. "I know he will never do it again."
Westgarth said he doesn't have a problem with the "graffiti artist" cleaning up the building they tagged.
Bullying
The Inspector spoke about bullying, noting it's a very serious issue for every OPP detachment.
"What scares me the most is that these fights are set up ahead of time, videotaped and put on the Internet," he said.
According to Westgarth, schools have zero tolerance for bullying. For this reason, the OPP is bringing its new bullying program to all Grade six classrooms in Lanark County to talk about the dangers.
Bullying is detrimental to students' wellbeing and development.
"Most of these bullies are under the age of 12," he said.
Internet
Westgarth said the Internet is a big challenge, but stressed, "parents need to be parents." "You don't know what's going on out there."
Children should not be allowed to have computers in their bedroom.
"These predators are experts," he said. "They sit there and talk to your kids."
The OPP has a unit that monitors this activity, however, Westgarth said they are overwhelmed. "We are always playing catch up with these guys."
"Parents aren't being parents letting kids have computers in their bedroom," the Inspector said. "Nothing needs to be in there but the things they need to survive. They shouldn't have better stuff than we do."
RESOURCES
Westgarth told attendees about a number of OPP resource kits available - ready to assist business owners and community residents.
ROBBERY PREVENTION KITS CONTAIN INFORMATION ON:
• Protecting your business,
• locks for doors and windows,
• alarm systems,
• shoplifting,
• how to avoid fraudulent cheques,
• debit/credit card fraud,
• armed robbery prevention,
• CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design),
• suspect and vehicle identification chart.
For more information about kits, contact a community services officer in your area. In Carleton Place, call Sean Trahan at 613-257-5610. In Lanark County, call Steve Stresman at 613-267-2626.
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