Bell Island Community Policing Newsletter

Community Policing - Everyone’s Business

....is a partnership between the police and the community, sharing in the delivery of police services.

Members of this Detachment
pledge to:

TREAT all people equally and
With respect;

UPHOLD the Canadian Charter
of Rights and Freedoms;

SERVE and PROTECT the
community

WORK with the community and
other agencies to prevent or
resolve problems that effect the
community's safety and quality
of life.

Bell Island Detachment

RCMP MASONIC CHRISTMAS SWEEP

by Cst. Roy Kendall

The winners were drawn on Dec. 18th prior to the start of Bingo at the Royal Canadian Legion, Bell Island. The grand prize winner of the framed autographed Gordie Howe print went to Bob Basha of Bell Island. The second prize of the Toastess Grill Combo went to Brenda Gagnon of St. John's, and the third and fourth prizes of $25. Gift certificates from Costco went to Mary Strathie of Bonavista and Gerald Kitchen of Bell Island.

We would like to thank everyone who made this event such a huge success. As a result of everyone's generosity we sold all 1,000 tickets and along with a generous donation from the Masonic Lodge, Bell Island, and other revenues, we were able to distribute 37 hampers to Seniors on Bell Island this Christmas. The hampers were greatly appreciated by all recipients.

A special thanks to the following:

Tom Spracklin of Cambridge, Ontario, who helped acquire the first prize and have it shipped to Bell Island. Tom may reside in Ontario, but his heart and soul belongs to Bell Island; d3 artworks (John Littlejohn, Rick Murphy, Brenda and Perry Carter) who donated the Gordie Howe print.

For anyone who had an opportunity to view the print, I am sure you will agree it was a beautiful prize. Worthy of note for any of you who had your heart set on winning the print, it can be purchased at d3 artworks. The purchase can be arranged by calling toll free 1-866-art(278)-1999.

Thanks to Clarke's Home Hardware, especially Wade Reardon, who donated the second prize of the Toastess Grill Combo, let the framed print hang in their store and sold a batch of tickets for us. Clarke's Home Hardware's generosity continued with a donation of candy to be included in the Christmas Hampers.

Thanks to Costco for the donation of the third and fourth prizes of $25.00 gift certificates.

Thanks to Bruce Skanes & staff of Foodland, who were generous and helpful in assembling of the Christmas Hampers.

Thanks to Lori Hann with Social Services and anyone else who helped identify persons who would appreciate a hamper, and also with the distribution of the hampers.

Thanks to those of you on Bell Island who took a batch of tickets to sell for us, including Norm King, King's Ultramar, Lori Hann, Social Services, St. Michael's School, Immaculate Conception School and St. Augustine's School and the staff at Clarke's Home Hardware.

Thanks to all of you who purchased a ticket to support this worthy cause.

I would like to thank my coworkers whose extra efforts made this undertaking such a success.

Finally, an extra note of thanks to Fred Noseworthy of Cambridge, Ontario, a former Bell Island resident who along with Tom Spracklin acquired toys, forwarded to the Bell Island Community Policing Office, which in turn were given to the Bell Island Foodbank for distribution in their Christmas Hampers.

LIVING IN A WAR

by Cst. Geoff Peddigrew

I wondered what my contribution to the Bell Island Community Policing Newsletter would be. I thought at great length and reached a conclusion that things I have seen and done may influence and possibly help others. I will periodically write about my experiences of living in a war.

Prior to joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, I served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Combat Engineer. In 1992, I was deployed as a member of the first tour, United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the former Yugoslavia.

On a cold March 30th morning, 4 Combat Engineer Regiment departed our home base of Lahr, Germany and endured a 40 hour train ride. Destination, Daruvar Croatia. The train cautiously rumbled into the remains of a railhead which had been bombed the day before. An apparent signal that we were not welcome. What lay before my eyes was a sight beyond comprehension. Homes, businesses, schools and hospitals lay in ruins. Abandoned vehicles visibly showed the horrible scars of war. I did not know, nor would I have believed that there would be worse to come. My troop mates and I made up a game whereby we would attempt to locate something, anything, that did not have a bullet or shrapnel hole in it. A pane of glass not smashed, a section of road without a mortar impact. In most instances, we were without a winner.

We exited the train and received the now well known "don't walk on the grass" lecture. Hard packed ground was less likely to hide anti-personnel land mines, capable of at the very least, maiming a person. A beautiful and quaint town, was now a war torn abomination of what once was. My stay in Daruvar was to be a short one with my primary tasks being the construction and set up of 4 Combat Engineer's Command Post. The site which was chosen was an abandoned and condemned school for the troops and a decrepit JNA (Yugoslavian National Army) barrack for the officers and headquarters building.

I began my tour assigned the job of removing catfish from a sink in the officers quarters. Some were barely alive while others were long since dead. Yugoslav soldiers who had occupied the building, had kept the fish in the sink and from time to time they would remove one for consumption. In Yugoslavia, there are no North American style toilets. There are platforms on the floor with a drainage hole. The plumbing had ceased to work several months prior. This did not prevent the continued use of the facilities.

After a thorough cleaning of the washrooms, we went to work on different areas of the building. The barrack had been the scene of an obvious, brutal battle. The dirty walls were riddled with the distinctive trail of automatic gunfire and there were the unfortunate remnants from those who had taken their last breaths before they met their maker. The bodies had been removed, now it was just the superficial cleaning to be done. Each and every window was either boarded up or was covered in plastic, waiting for plexi-glass to arrive. Starved and diseased animals roamed about, searching for sustenance so as to survive another day. The surrounding terrain was waterlogged and muddy. It looked at best, dreary.

Heavy Equipment troops worked diligently over the next few days removing layers of earth, backfilling and laying non-permeable cloth which was then covered in soil and crushed stone. The result was a parking lot and roads capable of supporting the largest of heavy equipment. Slowly, segments of the base camp began to reclaim some of it's past condition and new additions made it almost livable. The hard work and tenacity of Canadian soldiers came as no surprise to me.

Nights brought an eerie quiet, broken only by random bursts of gunfire and the echo of mortars and rockets as they slammed into neighbouring towns. Thankfully, the screams and cries could not be heard. My room was an old classroom with a horribly uneven floor. We slept on cots with only about a foot of space between beds. There were no windows and the cold Yugoslavian wind blew through the room. We shared our room with some rats. They didn't bother us and for a short while, we didn't bother them. It wasn't all bad, I had my friends, my sleeping bag kept me warm at night and there was plenty to eat during the day. All around me were people who had it much worse. In some small way, I was actually......................thankful.

2410 Bell Island Cadets

by Capt. Wayne Fitzgerald

Cadets have started again after a good Christmas break, I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and will have a prosperous New Year.

Since our last article, the cadets and staff of 2410 have been active. We held our Christmas Tag at the Post Office, Clarke's Home Hardware and Foodland, 20 cadets participated and enjoyed meeting and speaking with so many generous people. Thanks to your generosity, Cadets raised $691. which will be used to support Cadet activities. Thank you to the businesses who allowed us to utilize their facilities.

On December 29th, Mr. Bill Ford and the Town of Wabana, gave Cadets the use of the Monsignor Bartlett Arena for 2 hours of skating. 25 cadets, officers and volunteers, along with some friends of the cadets, attended. A good time was had by all. Skating is considered a part of our physical fitness program.

Our gold star cadets will be getting down to some hard work within the next couple of months as their National Exam will be coming up in early March. Good luck. Also during the next few weeks summer camp applications will begin to be processed, we hope resulting in a number of cadets and officers getting staff positions during the summer of 2001 in the various Cadet Summer Camps throughout Canada. Also cadets will be applying for courses with the band, Drill & Ceremonial, Adventure Training, etc. I hope that everyone gets the course they want, however, these decisions are not always made at the local level and you will be competing with Cadets from across the country for them.

Should you have any questions or concerns about Cadets, please feel free to contact me.

Capt. Wayne Fitzgerald
C.O.
488-3057

MEMO FROM GOD

Author Unknown

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. It will be addressed in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it. If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege. Should you have a bad day at work, think to the person who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the person in dire straits, working hours a day, seven days a week to feed their children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes they had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose, be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember things could be worse. You could be them!!!

TOP TEN FUNNY POLICE
QUOTES

10. "The handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch out after
you wear them awhile."

9. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."

8. "So you don't know how fast you were going. I guess that means I can
write anything I want on the ticket, huh?"

7. "Yes Sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I am the shift supervisor?"

6. "Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."

5. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk
or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"

4. "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster
oven."
3. "Life's tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

2. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to have quotas but now
we're allowed to write as many tickets as we want."

And the number one funny police quote....

1. "Just how big were those two beers?"

BELL ISLAND FOOD BANK
submitted by Marilyn Sheppard

Welcome back Police newsletter, we wish you all the success in the future.
The year 2000 has been an excellent year for fundraising. We would like to thank everyone who made any contribution to our organization. Without you it would be impossible to be as successful as we were.

The winner of our "HOLIDAY PACKAGE" trip for two to Toronto with the airfare being donated by Canada 3000, camera donated by Phototec, St. John's Maple Leaf tickets donated by the St. John's Maple Leafs and Toronto Maple Leaf tickets donated by Barry Babb, was Sharon Butler of Pouch Cove, Nfld. Gary Gosine drew the winning ticket on July 23, 2000.

Bell Island Day and our Christmas turkey and ham raffle were also a great success. We would like to thank all of our volunteers a special thank you to Keith Tucker for helping us set up our dunk tank on Bell Island Day.

"MONTE CARLO NIGHT" organized by the office of student affairs and faculty of medicine at MUN, will be donating some of the proceeds from their fundraiser on January 26th. We thank them for including us in their fundraiser.

We wish to also thank "THE BELL ISLAND NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB" in Cambridge, Ontario, for their donation to us from their members Christmas party.

A thank you to William and Carmel Power of the Wabana Sports Bar in Cambridge, Ontario for their donations during the past year. Also to Tom Spracklin for his contributions at Christmas and to a garage sale organized by William Power in Cambridge, Ontario. The proceeds from the garage sale were donated to the Bell Island Food Bank.

Last but not least thank you to all Bell Islanders and their families for their donations to the Food Bank during the past year. It's because of all of you that the food bank is as successful as it is.

Remember 1 out of every 4 children goes to school hungry..............

PET LOBSTERS

submitted by S/Sgt. Greg Morrow

After a day fishing in the ocean a fisherman is walking from the pier carrying two lobsters in a bucket. He is approached by the Game Warden who asks him for his fishing license.

The fisherman says to the warden, "I didn't catch these lobsters, they are my pets. Every day I come done to the water and whistle and these lobsters jump out and I take them for a walk only to return them at the end of the day."

The warden, not believing him, reminds him that it is illegal to fish without a license.

The fisherman turns to the warden and says, "If you don't believe me then watch," as he throws the lobsters back into the water.

The warden says, "Now whistle to your lobsters and show me that they will come out of the water."

The fisherman turns to the warden and says, "What lobsters?"

RCMP AUXILIARY CONSTABLE PROGRAM

by Cst. Scott Stephenson

The Bell Island Community Policing Office presently has two persons who are involved the program;

A/Cst. Norm King
A/Cst. Jenny Reid

The program has been in existence in the province of Newfoundland since the 1960's. Each participant is required to volunteer a minimum of 100 hours of their time each year. They work with a regular RCMP member and accompany them on patrols and are a valuable asset to both the community and the local detachment.

Their time and effort is greatly appreciated by the members of the Bell Island Detachment.

CRIME STOPPERS

by Cst. Scott Stephenson

Did you know;
Anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers have helped police solve more than 860 cases.
-Over 800 people have been arrested and more than 1800 charges have been laid.
-Over $700,000.00 worth of stolen property has been recovered.
-Over $540,000.00 in illegal drugs and contraband has been seized.
-Over $800,000.00 worth of arson and frauds solved

Crime Stoppers is a non-profit community-led charitable organization that depends on your public donations.

Crime Stoppers offers cash for clues!

If you have information to help solve a crime call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS

Remember, your call is anonymous and Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display.

KATIMAVIK ANSWERS THE BELL (Once Again)

submitted by Travis Taylor

January 10 marked the return of Canada's national youth corps, Katimavik, to Bell Island, bringing 11 new participants to the area to learn about Newfoundland culture. This is the 4th consecutive year Katimavik has sent a project to the Island.

Participants arrived from various provinces across the nation to live at Mike Simon's former place of residence on Colbourne Street. The participants will live together developing work and life skills through volunteer internships with various partner organizations. This season's community sponsors thus far include St. Michael's High School, St. Augustine Primary School, Operation Sunshine Garden, Head Start Day Care, Community Food Bank, Wabana Boys and Girls Club and Fresh Water Beach Trail.

Three different groups will arrive to live and work on Bell Island over the next seven months. Groups will rotate in both March and May with other participant clusters in Mississippi Mills, Ontario and St. Boniface, Manitoba, a predominately francophone community. Much emphasis in the program is placed on language and cultural exchange as participants from both French and English communities share one another's experience via the group living environment and multilingual host communities.

Community integration is another program feature as participants spend 12 days with a billeting family each rotation, learning Newfoundland family traditions, routines and customs. If you are interested in finding out more about hosting a participant between February 23 and March 7, call either Bob at 488-9209 or Travis at 488-2314.

This year's first rotation participants have prepared a brief introduction of themselves:

Cindy Therrien: Je viens de Prévost, Quebec. Je m'intéresse a tout ce qui touche les arts. Je n'aime pas la facon don't la société se déroule (argent/pouvor). Je fais plus confiance au vraie valeurs que l'ont explorent ici. Je suis travaillante, mais pas vraiment sportive. J'ai un gout vaste de la musique et dans la lecture aussi. J'espere pouvoir voyager (surtout le mexique pour apprendre l'espagnol).

Jessica Gerard: I am 19 years old and from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I love music and nature. I get a kick out of life. I am a hardworker, open minded, like children, artistic, and like being active. My passion lies in my curiousity for life. I hope it takes me many places.

Levi Lund: I am 18 years old from Prince George, British Columbia. I play guitar, sports, hang out with friends and in the outdoors. I also enjoy coaching baseball and basketball, along with art and music.

Rose Foster: I am 18 years old from Williams Lake, British Columbia. I enjoy the outdoors. My hobbies include sports (rugby, basketball, baseball). I also love animals and was a 4-H member for 8 years. I like working with children and anything that is hands-on such as art, acting and woodwork.

Melissa Jean: J'ai 18 ans. Ma fete est le premier juillet. Je viens de Caraquet au N.B. J'aime faire de la couture, alors probablement je voudrais avoir un métier relié a ce domaine. Dans mon temps libre, m'aime écouter de la musique, lire sortir dans les clubs et danser.

Nyssa Pohl: I am 17 years old, from Greenfield Park, Quebec (near Montreal). I like doing art (comics and drawing and painting), animation, and also reading. I also like to watch films (I'm studying communication in CGEP (college)). I know French too.

Catherine Gallipoli: J'aurai beintot 19 ans. J'aime beaucoup la musique le chant. Aussi je fait du Kung fu, mais je ne suis que ceinture blanche. J'aime le changement et les choses différentes, meme bizzard. Je suis tres pres de ma famille et je les aimes beaucoup, ainsi que mon copain. J'aime aussi cuisiner et lire est ma passion.

James Briltz: I am from Whitesands, a small summer village. It is located at Buffalo Lake. It is located outside of Stettler, Alberta. I am good with computers and most computer programs. I have lots of work experience, including journalism. I like skiing, tennis, cycling and snowmobiles.

Jason Whitlock: I am 18 years old and I am an outgoing, people person. I am from Owen Sound, Ontario but I am living in Kitchener.

Shane Isacsson: I am 19 years old. In my spare time I like to play sports. I am from London, Ontario.

John Haynes: I have come from Barrie, Ontario. My interests are soccer, pool, making music, computers, poetry. I like working with children as well.

LIFE AS A COP

This article is not written to offend people, but to show how we as COPS sometimes feel we are looked upon.

Well, Mr. Citizen, it seems you've figured me out. I seem to fit neatly into the category where you've placed me. I'm stereo- typed, standardized, characterized, classified, grouped, and always typical.

Unfortunately, the reverse is true, I can never figure you
out.

From birth you teach your children that I'm the bogeyman, then you're shocked when they identify with my traditional enemy..the criminal!

You accuse me of coddling criminals......until I catch your kids doing wrong.

You may take an hour for lunch and several coffee breaks each day, but point me out as a loafer for having one
cup.

You pride yourself on your manners, but think nothing of disrupting my meals with your troubles.

You raise hell with the guy who cuts you off in traffic, but let me catch you doing the same thing and I'm picking on you.You know all the traffic laws...but you've never gotten a single ticket you deserve.

You shout "foul" if you observe me driving fast to a call, but raise the roof if I take more than ten seconds to respond to your complaint.

You call it part of my job if someone strikes me, but call it police brutality if I strike back.

You wouldn't think of telling your dentist how to pull a tooth or your doctor how to take out an appendix, yet you are always willing to give me pointers on the law.

You talk to me in a manner that would get you a bloody
nose from anyone else, but expect me to take it without batting an eye.

You yell something's got to be done to fight crime, but you
can't be bothered to get
involved.

You have no use for me at all, but of course it's OK if I
change a flat for your wife, deliver your child in the back of the patrol car, or perhaps save your son's life with mouth to mouth breathing, or work many hours overtime looking for your lost daughter.

So, Mr. Citizen, you can stand there on your soapbox and
rant and rave about the way I do my work, calling me every name in the book, but never stop to think that your property, family, or maybe even your life depends on me or one of my buddies.

Yes, Mr. Citizen, it's me...the lousy cop!

The author of this article was Trooper Mitchell Brown of
the Virginia State Police. He was killed in the line of duty
two months after writing the
article.

As a salute to the millions of men and women police
officers who put their lives on the line for us everyday.

SAFETY TALK

by Cst. Scott Stephenson

On Monday December 11, 2000 Mr. Sean Budgell a lineman with Newfoundland Power in St. John's gave a safety talk at the Wabana Complex. Mr. Budgell was assisted by Mr. Stan MacDonald a Newfoundland Power lineman on Bell Island.
The presentation dealt with downed power lines and hazards associated with electricity and was attended by members of the Wabana Fire Department, employees of the Town of Wabana, and Bell Island Detachment members.

The presentation was arranged by Sgt. Ron Andrews and was much appreciated by all who attended.

For those not aware, if there is a down power line, keep away and contact Newfoundland Power. Remember keep at least 30 feet away.

As a token of appreciation for their time and effort, Mr. Budgell and Mr. MacDonald were given RCMP ball caps and pins.

BELL ISLAND HEADSTART PROGRAM

submitted by Karen Murphy

The Bell Island Head Start Committee Inc. provides child care to children aged 2 to 5. The child care centre is located at the Wabana Complex. Our program includes art, music, science, dramatic play and many other activities. The centre also has a outdoor fenced playground with playground equipment.

For more information contact Karen at 488-2428 or drop by for a visit.

ST. MICHAEL'S HIGH SCHOOL REPORT

submitted by Mr. Jerome Delaney - Principal

Welcome again to our St. Michael's High section of the newsletter. Since the last issue, we've had our second annual academic awards night which paid tribute to our graduating students from last year. The names of these scholarship winners are listed below. On another note, is there any end to all this snow? Our students were rather upset back in December when on two Fridays in succession, school was cancelled because of the bad weather!!!!!!!
At the time this newsletter is being written, all our students are writing their Semester 1 examinations.

FIRST, SECOND, & THIRD PLACE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:
Christine Tulk - 1st Place - winner of the St. Boniface High School Memorial Scholarship ($500.00).
Catherine Tulk - 2nd place winner ($300.00 scholarship);
Christy Foley - 3rd place winner ($200.00 scholarship)

JOSEPH & PHILOMENA DOBBIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
Rick Kent - this scholarship is valued at $2000.00 and is awarded to the Level 3 student at St. Michael's who received the highest ranking in the Provincial Scholarship written in June.

HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS (valued at $200.00 each):
Jennifer Curnew; Christy Foley; Christa Hann; Kenneth Kavanagh; Rick Kent; Christine Tulk; Cathy Tulk; Melissa Skehans.

DISTINCTION SCHOLARSHIPS (valued at $150.00 each):

Kevin Cole; Darlene Curnew

SUBJECT SCHOLARSHIPS (valued at $100.00 each):
Ken Kavanagh (World History 3201); Mary Ellen Kent (Chemistry 3202); Christine Tulk (Thematic Literature 3201); Cathy Tulk & Jennifer Curnew (Biology 3202); Stephanie Pearle (Environmental Science 3205); Heather Fowler and Janis Lawrence (World Geography 3202); Darlene Curnew (Folk Literature 3203); Geoff Ash (Calculus Readiness 3105); Kevin Cole & Philip Delaney (Business Math 3202); Christy Foley (Language 3101); Candi Gear (Business English 3102); Corinna Smith & Melissa Skehans (Academic Mathematics 3202); Jonathan Bragg (Physics 3204); Melissa Pitts (French 3200).
THE WALTER & AVIS DICKS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (Valued at $250.00, this scholarship is awarded to a student who has shown considerable persistence and determination in achieving graduation status.):

Amanda Crane

THE LORETTA JONES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (Valued at $200.00, this scholarship is awarded to the graduating student who obtained the highest combined average in English Language and English Literature.):

Mary Ellen Kent

SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE MOST IMPROVED STUDENT:

Richard Foley

In the next issue we'll acknowledge the various individuals, organizations, and businesses who have donated various amounts of money for the above scholarships. Without this excellent support, an awards night would simply not be possible. Also in the next issue we'll list the names of a number of students at St. Michael's who have recently been invited to the principal's office for positive visits.

THANK YOU

by Cst. Scott Stephenson

The following local businesses were kind enough to allow the December 2000 issue of the newsletter to be displayed for pick-up;

- Bayview Grocery
-Byrne's Easy Save
-Clarke & Clarke
-Crafts and Decor
-Hurley's Store
-Jukebox Junction
-King's Ultramar
-Murphy's Irving
-Ridgeway Variety
-Slades Food Town
-Skanes' Foodland
-Stoyles Meat Market
-The Coffee Shop (Beach)
-Wabana Town Council
-Yick's Store

Your help was very much appreciated and shows your dedication to the community.

BELL ISLAND BRIGHTER FUTURES FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE

#18 Normore Crescent
(709)488-2699

by Hollie Neary

With a new year beginning what a great time to get involved into new thing, do things with your family, kick old habits, ETC. With that why not attend our programs with your child, a friends child, a grandchild, or a child you care for. To help you with some of your questions or concerns about the centre I have answered a few that have been asked of me like:

Q: I don't need anyone to show me how to be a parent!
A: Nobody is saying how to be a parent to anybody. Parents get together, share ideas, have leisure time, and develop friendships. These are programs for you and your child to have time together playing and laughing in a friendly environment.

Q: Are you part of Social Services?
A: NO we are not, we are funded by the Federal Department of Health Canada, this would be your Public Health Nurses. Things said in the Centre office are
confidential, it is your choice what you say to others. We offer programs that are suggested to us by parents with health and nutrition kept in those programs.

Q: If I go once will I have to go all the time?
A: You can come to the programs that interest you, you can come as often as you want and get involved as much as you would like. Also you can have another adult bring your for you if for some reason you cannot attend with them..

Q: I have no way to get to the Centre?
A: Transportation is provided on a as need basis. If you would like to come for the first time and need a ride call the Centre and arrangements can be made, after that transportation will be made possible to you for programs.

Q: Do I have to pay for programs?
A: All programs costs are taken care of by the Brighter Futures Coalition. The only thing you provide is yourself and your children. This is a program funded fully by the Federal Government.

Q: How can I get more information?
A: You can call the Centre and speak to myself or the Public Health Nurses. We would be glad to help you and if you would like to see the Centre before a program just call and arrangement can be made to show you around.

With all that in mind start the year out at Brighter Futures with your child and enjoy the fun and excitement you can have. Here are some of our activities for the upcoming month:
- Jan. 23 - Parent Club - a night for parents to get together and have fun.
- Jan. 24 - Parents & Tots - crafts
- Jan. 26 - Family Fun Day - skating (please call before attending)
-Jan. 31 - Parents & Tots - birthday fun.
- Every Wednesday is Parents & Tots from 12:15pm to 2:15pm.

We have many programs that are being offered or can be offered if desired. In the upcoming news letters I will introduce you to our many programs. If you have questions or comments call me at 488-2699 I would be glad to assist you.

All the programs are offered FREE OF CHARGE with transportation and child care being provided for programs if needed. Take advantage of a wonderful time to spend special time, out of the home, with your child complements of the government.

Take that first step and drop by or call and always remember children have a "brighter future".

Thank you.
Hollie Neary
Program Coordinator

DECEMBER STATS

by Cst. Scott Stephenson

Bell Island Detachment received 38 calls for service in the past month which consisted of;
-Property Damage.................7
-Property Checks...................5
-Break and Enter...................1
-Assistance to the Public.......1
-Theft Under $5000.00..........4
-Surrender of Firearms..........2
-False Alarms.......................6
-Accidents.............................1
-Provincial Investigations......3
-Parking Violations...............1
-Assaults................................2
-Disturbing Peace..................2
-Arrest Warrants....................1
-Trespassing..........................1
-Sex Assault..........................1

NEW FIREARMS LEGISLATION

by Cst. Scott Stephenson

I f you are not already aware, as of January 1, 2001 the firearms licensing legislation came into effect. Canadian firearm owners are required by law to have submitted and application to the Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC) to obtain a firearms licence. A temporary licence will be issued to those who qualify until the application is processed and a licence is issued.

For those who have not taken the necessary steps to obtain a licence, you are committing a criminal offence.

If you have any questions you can contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at:
1-800-731-4000; visit their Web site at www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca or e-mail at: canadian.firearms@justice.x400.gc.ca

WABANA TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

by Peter Kent

WOODCUTTING
There have been some recent incidents involving woodcutting in the area of the air strip and No. 5. Wood cutting is not permitted anywhere in the town and persons engaged in this illegal activity will be reported to the RCMP and charges will be laid against those involved

Please put a stop to this illegal activity.

CLOSING

by Cst. Scott Stephenson

If you have any comments, suggestions please let us know. Our office is located on Memorial St. or you may contact us at the following:

Telephone (709)488-3312

Toll Free 1-800-709-7267

Fax (709)488-2311

E-Mail:
scott.stephenson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca