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7 · Friday, October 28, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Budget hike would deliver 12 officers and two investigators Continued from page 1 are essential to maintain the current level of service, would include 12 patrol officers, one forensic investigator, and one seniors investigator. The support staff hires include one business systems analyst, one radio trunking support person, and four call centre workers. The skyrocketing cost of fuel and utilities were blamed as contributors to the increase, as was the increasing complexity of legal proceedings, which all too often monopolize police time. Crowell also said dealing with a domestic abuse call now takes much longer than it did 30 years ago. Despite these issues, Crowell said that since 2006 the Halton Regional Police Service has made an effort to reduce its budget. "We have examined the way we do busi- ness to be as efficient and effective with the resources we do have," he said. "Some of the operational efficiencies include voice dictation, online reporting, Electronic Crown Briefs and the use of Speed Sentry and Speed I, which necessitates using a volunteer to run some radar gathering information for us without having to have a police officer do that." The Halton Regional Police Service central lockup, police reporting centre and the use of volunteers were other operational efficiencies listed. Crowell reminded the board the Halton Regional Police Service has one of the lowest officer-to-population ratios of the `Big 12' police services. He also said the Halton Regional Police Service has one of the lowest staff-to-population ratios and one of the lowest cost-per- capita ratios in Ontario. "We have not cut down on service delivery or safety in order to achieve these results," said Crowell. "In fact, Halton has been named the safest Region in Canada three years in a row by Maclean's magazine and with this funding request we intend to ensure that Halton remains as safe tomorrow as it is today." Board members, including Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, asked numerous questions of Crowell. Burton asked where the new Halton police officers would be deployed, but heard they would be sent to whichever district in Halton needed them the most at that time. CHOICE, DIVERSITY, INNOVATION, EXCELLENCE, PERSONALIZATION Oakville is home to an impressive selection of independent private preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools. Each shares a commitment to academic excellence in safe, supportive environments that emphasize the development of life-long values. Making an educational choice for your child is an important decision, and finding the right fit is part of the process. We invite you to join us during a joint Open House to visit the schools and discover what each has to offer your child. A great school is waiting for you. To learn more, and to access a map with locations of each school, visit www.educationoakville.com Saturday, October 29, 2011 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. OPEN HOUSE FERN HILL A School Like No Other Fern Hill School, an independent co-educational school for students in Preschool to Grade 8, is regarded as one of the pre-eminent elementary schools in Canada. · · · · Exceptional academics Personalized and enriched curriculum Secure facilities French from PS ­ Grade 8 · · · · Outstanding visual arts, band and vocal music Athletics and outdoor education Mandarin Language study Leadership and Community Service programmes COME VISIT US! OPEN HOUSE Saturday, October 29, 2011 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Oakville Campus | 3300 Ninth Line Oakville, ON | 905.257.0022 www.educationoakville.com admissions@fernhillschool.com | www.fernhillschool.com w