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Program reaches children who exhibit fireâ€"setting behaviour Dennis Moser, assistant program coordinator and firefighter with the Waterloo department, said the program‘s success comes from the shocking material presented in the workshop. A_ child‘s fascination with fire can become a gerous pastime. Without proper intervention, what seems like a harmless hobby to a child can turn deadly. The City of Waterloo fire department wants to prevent future tragedy caused by children and youths who demonstrate repeated fireâ€"setting behaviour. The Waterloo Region Arson Prevention Program â€" Committee (WRAPPâ€"C] is a joint effort between the Waterloo department, the Cambridge, Kitchener and Township of Wilmot fire departments, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Grand River Hospital, Notre Dame of St. Agatha and the Lutherwood â€" Assessment and Clinical Resource Centre. _And offering a program highlighting the dangers fire can cause, and the consequences it can bring, seems like a good start. â€" Developed in 1994 by Pam Cressman, a former fire prevention officer with the City of Kitchener who now works at the Children‘s Safety Village in Cambridge, the program was seen as necessary step following a fire tragedy that claimed the life of a twoâ€"yearâ€"old Kitchener gird. According to WRAPPâ€"C statistics, it is estimated that 50 per cent of all arson fires are started by juveniles. And approximately 50 to 60 per cent of these children are motivated by curiosity. The WRAPPâ€"C program provides children, anywhere between two years of age and 17, who have exhibited fireâ€" setting behaviour, insight into the dangers of fire play and fire safety education. â€"â€" But what has surprised most organizers is the number of children who have actually come through the course. _ "Years ago, we‘d see maybe a couple of children a year," commented Waterloo fire chief Max Hussey. _ _ "When we first started (the program}, we didn‘t imagâ€" ine the number of children fire setters there are. It was unbelievable." By Anprea Bamey Chronicle Staff _ But Hussey believes the habits were there before the WRAPPâ€"C program. The problem was, he said, parents didn‘t know where they could go for help. _ He agreed, however, that the numbers seem to be steadily declining with each passing year. _ In 2001, 182 children from across the region were put through the program, with 30 of them coming from Waterloo. That‘s down from the moareâ€"than 200 children who were put through the program in 1999 and in 2000. And of the 182 in 2001, only eight repeated the offense. "With the numbers we‘re dealing with, you can‘t get much better than that," Hussey said. Dennis Moser, assistant program coordinator and fireâ€" fighter with the Waterloo department, said he believes program success comes from the shocking material preâ€" sented in the workshop. After being referred to WRAPPâ€"C, usually by either the court system, police, school or a concerned parent, a PAGE 3 Continued on page 4 Noâ€"smoking bylaw gains acceptance In the two years that have passed since smoking was & banned in public places, hundreds of people have been hit E with fines for defying the law. _ â€" â€" : In addition, bylaw officers have issued tickets to owners of an estimated 40 establishments (some received multiple fines) where cigarette smoke continues to fill the air. Brian Hatton, director of environmental health for Waterloo Region, said in 2000 and 2001, 950 individuals each received a $255 fine for smoking in a public place. The vast majority have been convicted by the courts and ordered to pay the fine. Bar and restaurant owners who are found guilty of defyâ€" ing the smoking ban face a maximum $5,000 fine. Hatton said of the estimated 15 cases that have gone to court, all have ended in a conviction. He said the value of the fines against business owners are determined by the court. i Though initially some businesses were slow to accept, enforce or understand the noâ€"smoking law, Hatton said these days compliance is nearing the 100â€"perâ€"cent mark. "We have about a 99â€"perâ€"cent compliance rate," he said. "There‘s still 25 to 30 businesses that are not compliant and all have been charged. Even with the charges, they‘re still not complying." Hatton said bylaw officers continue to visit bars, restauâ€" rants and other public places to ensure owners and their patrons aren‘t smoking. Young people sought for summit on sustainable urban transportation Grand River Transit is seeking 75 young Canadians to attend a youth summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation May 10â€"14 in Ottawa. The summit will bring together 75 young people from across Canada to discover and discuss the importance of sustainable transportation in Canadian communities. The Canadian Urban Transit Association â€" in conjuncâ€" tion with Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, the City of Ottawa, Environment Canada, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Go for Green, Pollution Probe, Pembina Institute and Sierra Youth Coalition â€" will present the upcoming summit. The goal of the summit is to send back youth that are well informed about the issue to Canadian communities, and encourage local action on sustainable transportation issues. Before the summit, each delegate will meet with their community‘s transit provider and research the role transit plays in the area‘s transportation network. The summit will begin with an opening plenary session featuring some of the country‘s experts on urban spaces, transportation and the environment, and will provide an excellent opportunity for transit and youth to learn from each other. The summit is comprised of four core sessions: teamwork and leadership, urban and transit planning, youthâ€"targeted programs, and active transportation and community marâ€" keting. Elective sessions include event planning, media relaâ€" tions, health implication of transportation, and kicking the car habit. Delegates will also meet with parliamentarians during their stay. Ultimately, participants will be invited by community groups to share what they learned when they return, and thereby encourage local actions. â€" Ap;}lication forms for the summit can be found by visitâ€" ing the Canadian Urban Transit Association‘s website at www.cutactu.ca. By CaroLâ€"Ann NuceNt For The Chronicle Looking For a New or Preâ€"owned BMW www.bâ€"kmotors.com