The Pickering 56 PAGES ✦ Pressrun 48,900 ✦ Metroland Durham Region Media Group ✦ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2008 ✦ Optional delivery $6 / Newsstand $1 Ross is on the job Dart champ Ajax and Pickering Durham player puts end has a new top cop to Cinderella story Page 2 Page 17 Police want more officers as part of $131M budget DURHAM — New officers and civilian employees are among the priorities cited in a $131.56-mil- lion budget approved Monday by Durham’s police services board. If approved by regional council, the budget would allow for the hiring of eight new cops and two civilian support staff. The document passed by the po- lice services board marks a $7.56- million increase over 2007’s bud- get of $124 million, a 6.1 per cent hike. Police Chief Mike Ewles has also identified a number of property and equipment upgrades that need to be addressed in the budget. The increase falls within guide- lines set out last fall by the region’s finance committee, which is pre- dicting a 4.4 per cent tax hike for Durham ratepayers this year. News Advertiser file photo Sherrie Johnston holds a photograph of her son Brad shortly after he was originally charged, three were found guilty Dec. 14 of manslaughter and as- killed three years ago while on a visit to British Columbia. Of the five people sault causing bodily harm. Three guilty in beating death Pickering native accused in the beating death of artist who grew up in Pickering, 7. Ms. Johnston was unable to at- her son three years ago, her spir- was killed in January 2005 when he tend the reading of the verdict, and killed three years its brighten as she points out the was visiting family in British Co- could only make two trial dates WINTER ago while on visit watercolours, framed nudes and lumbia with his father, stepmother due to the high cost and travel MAINTENANCE PACKAGE statues her son created in his short and brother, Ian. time. to British Columbia lifetime. Two of the accused, professional “They’ve been very difficult trips • Oil & filter change • Tire rotation • Coolant check • Brake Inspection “It’s really nice because his fin- boxer Mark Woolbough and Dylan and expensive trips,” she says. “It’s By Kristen Calis gerprints are on here,” she says Ambrus, were found innocent, been too horrific.” $150 Value [email protected] as she holds a tiny cat sculpture while Adam Ball, Donald Clarke The incident occurred in the For Only $$5599..9955 that fits perfectly into the palm of and Paul Rosborough were each early morning hours of Jan. 9, 2005 905-831-5400 PICKERING — When Sherrie her hand, which he gave her the convicted of manslaughter and as- outside of the Rec Room nightclub 575 KINGSTON RD Johnston talks about the final ver- Christmas before he died. sault causing bodily harm on Dec. www.pickeringhonda.com dict in the case against five men Brad Johnston, 24, a talented 14, and will be sentenced on April ✦ See Mom, Page 4 COOL NEW PHONES FOR THE SEASON † 8 i i 99.99* †Some conditions apply. TMRogers and the Mobius design are trademarks of Rogers Communications Inc. Used under License. © 2008 A/P PAGE 2 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, January 16, 2008 durhamregion.com New inspector wants to end street robberies Stephen Ross has 26 years experience fighting crime By Roland Cilliers [email protected] DURHAM — The new top cop in Ajax and Pickering doesn’t plan on just resting on his past successes. Inspector Stephen Ross became the unit commander of 19 division on Jan. 7 and he wants to make the area a safer place for its residents. “We’re going to focus on our strategic organizational priorities which are youth, roadway safety and violence against per- sons and property crimes.” says Insp. Ross. In particular, he intends to deal with the prevalence of street robberies in Ajax and Pickering. “There continues to be a real problem with street robbery involving our youth. A kid riding home on his bike gets stopped by a couple kids who say ‘give me your chain, give me your money, give me your Ipod’.” says Insp. Ross. He intends to reduce the number of rob- beries with some proven strategies which includes an increase in patrols in problem areas. Before staring his new position, Insp. Ron Pietroniro/ News Advertiser photo Ross was a robbery detective and at one Inspector Steve Ross is the new unit commander of 19 Division serving Ajax and Pickering with the Durham Regional Police Service. point he was responsible for co-ordinat- ing a street robbery project in Ajax and Pickering. Police on the bike patrol target high-com- Stories from a front-line cop “It resulted in numerous arrests, nu- plaint areas and do not have to respond to merous charges and had an impact on the the routine calls the police receive, except Inspector Stephen Ross has been a police officer for 26 years and in that time he has had number of street level robberies we had in emergency cases. several remarkable encounters. In one such incident, in February 2006, Insp. Ross had to re- occurring, but unless you continue that Insp. Ross brings 26 years of experience strain a man at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. they tend to creep up again.” says Insp. as a police officer to his new position. He Police were called to locate a man who had left the hospital on foot after he was sent there by his family for treatment of a mental condition. A short while after being called the po- Ross. The project has turned into a full- has received numerous internal recogni- lice located the man. time strategy. tion and awards for his many achieve- “When the officers approached him he drew from his knapsack an axe and threatened the Inspector Ross will also be involved in ments. officers with the axe.” says Insp. Ross. new region-wide programs against vio- “I’m looking forward to working in When attempts to have the man drop the weapon failed, the police deployed a K9 unit lence and aggressive driving. A new unit the Ajax Pickering area over the next few which, despite latching onto the man’s arm, was unable to subdue the suspect. Finally, Insp. called the Durham Region Anti Violence years. I welcome any input that the public Ross had to fire two sets of taser prongs at the man in order to restrain him. Strategy (DRAVIS) is funded by the pro- may have, any issues or concerns, that’s Along with other officers, Insp. Ross was honoured at the 2007 Police Appreciation Awards vincial government and will be used to what we’re here for is to address them.” ceremony for handling this potentially deadly situation without a fatality. deal with high-crime areas. says Insp. Ross. A major concern for Ajax and Pickering has been crime committed by youth in public areas such as parks and on the wa- terfront. Last summer the police depart- Two workers assaulted during Pickering robbery at pizza store ment experimented with a new program PICKERING — Two workers were physical- their faces covered punched and kicked the restaurant to call police. that Insp. Ross hopes to expand. ly assaulted during a robbery at a Pickering male employee, emptying his pockets and Police are seeking two men, described “There was a bike patrol put out last pizza shop early Saturday, police said. removing money from a cash register. as about 5-feet-8 with medium builds, who year. It was highly successful and we hope Durham cops are looking for two suspects An unwitting delivery driver was assault- wore black-hooded jackets, ball caps and to continue it this year. They go into the in the heist, which occurred around 12:30 ed when he walked in and interrupted the gloves. Anyone with information is asked parks and look for youths loitering, drugs, a.m. Saturday at a Pizza Pizza outlet on robbery, police said; at that point the first to call police at 905-579-1520, ext. 5355 or alcohol that sort of thing.” says Insp. Ross. Kingston Road. Police said two men with victim escaped the store and ran to a nearby Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Beijing2008 When Durham Region athletes compete for gold at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, we’ll be there. Brad Kelly Ron Pietroniro Sports editor Brad Kelly and photographer Ron Pietroniro will be along for every step, jump and throw, bringing Metroland readers all of the stories and pictures from the largest sports spectacle in the world. From Aug. 8-24, we will be the number one source to track the progress and success of local athletes, both through our print publications and online. Join us as we bring the magic of the Olympic Games to you. durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, January 16, 2008 PAGE 3 A/P Fuel poured on Ajax truck stop MADE FOR WALKING Ontario acres. In a decision released ated fewer than five. In his about $50 million to build, earlier this month, board decision, Mr. Jackson noted was constructed to open up Municipal Board member Norman Jackson witnesses for Petro-Canada lands for employment. Busi- sides with Town ruled the request by Petro- “somewhat quietly admit- nesses that have opened Canada didn’t represent ted there is virtually no or are under construction Casual, comfortable shoes crafted to refuse plan good planning. employment in the Petro near the interchange are in fine waterproof Mr. Jackson did rule a proposal; perhaps three or the BMW dealership, the leather.