www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 24, 2007 - 9 Walking the walk on public safety concerns SOLD SOLD Continued from page 8 "We are facing strong competition from all the other emergency services," said Crowell. "Even the military has seen an increase in the number of recruits they've had." To offset these pressures Halton police are calling for the hiring of 19 officers, including: four constables and one detective constable for District #1 (Halton Hills, Georgetown, Milton), three constables and one detective constable for District #2 (Oakville), three constables for District #3 (Burlington) and a constable for a canine unit, an inspector in community support, a detective constable to work in offender management, a detective constable for collision reconstruction, a detective constable in forensic identification and a detective constable for forensic computing. Halton Police also want to hire 10 people for civilian positions including: a director of information services, a facilities technician, a disability management co-ordinator, four records data entry clerks, a junior communications analyst, a domestic violence victim liaison and a station duty clerk for north Halton. The total price tag is estimated at $2,287,800. Compensation costs have also gone up with retirement and health benefits as well as salaries seeing substantial increases in the last year. Halton police also requested more funds, $38,450, for materials and supplies as a reduction in the cost of gasoline was offset by increases in requirements for tires and parts for cruisers, along with the cost of uniforms and equipment for new officers. As 2008 is also expected to be a peak year in the replacement of vehicles from Halton's police fleet, minor capital funding is seeing a request of $677,200. Regional Chair and Halton Police Services Board member Gary Carr expressed support for the budget. "When we have a safe community I think most people would understand that this is a reasonable increase," he said. "When you guys are short staffed it's a safety issue." Carr did, however, have reservations about the Halton taxpayer paying such a bill and noted that with so much saber rattling by both Federal and Provincial governments about increasing policing and creating safer communities they should chip in to make it happen. "Both the Federal and Provincial governments now have huge surpluses," he said. Burlington Ward 6 Councillor and Halton Police Services Board member Carol D'Amelio had concerns about the increase in the budget. "I don't expect our increase to be as high next year, but there are still increases," she said. "I hope there will be some sustainability." SOLD Just Moved? SOLD Bride-To-Be? New Baby? Call 1-866-283-7584 today! www.welcomewagon.ca 11/06 FM 2047 EXPERIENCE THE HALTON VACUUM DIFFERENCE & power up! with a new Beam CHECK OUT THIS GREAT CENTRAL VAC VALUE! MODEL BU185 CENTRAL VACUUM COMPLETE WITH ECONO POWERHEAD, HOSE & TOOL SET POWER PERFORMER · 490 Airwatts of Power · Cleanstream Filtration · Complete with Basic Powerhead & hose 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION ultra quiet Serenity power unit producing 600 airwatts of power! · Beam electric power brush · 30' 110V hose with 2-way switch (turns power brush on or off at your fingertips) with our Lite Touch handle. · 8 piece tool set, including extra chrome telescopic wand, upholstery tool with slide on brush, crevice tool, dusting brush, floor brush, tool caddy & hose rack. INCLUDING · Beam's super powerful Boss Smart Vac · Powerful 12 Amp Motor · True HEPA Filtration · 15" Cleaning Path · Deluxe Tools on Board · Brush Roll On/Off · Suction Control Switch · Headlight · Stretch Hose INCLUDED INCLUDED $ *installation available at additional cost 499 99* $ ONLY SPECIAL! WITH BEAM ELECTRIC PACKAGE... 599 99 $ 749 99** American Pricing at $ WITH STANDARD AIR PACKAGE...$599.99** 199 TR AF AL GA RR D. 99 SALES · SERVICE · SELECTION QUALITY BRANDS · INSTALLATION SALES · SERVICE · SELECTION · · QUALITY BRANDS · INSTALLATION HALTON'S TRUSTED FLOOR CARE SPECIALISTS! L DU ND AS ST .E . 905-257-6145 Mon.-Fri.9:30-6:00 Sat. 9:30-4:00, Sun. CLOSED UP PE RM ID DL ER D. E. DU ND AS S 2379 Trafalgar Road Trafalgar Ridge Shopping PLaza (in the Winners/HomeSense plaza a) Beside Scotia Bank T. W . N