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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 16, 2008 - 11 Coping with summer of mischief By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF An Oakville woman is trying to make sense of what is happening in her neighbourhood after her home was subjected to a summer-long campaign of vandalism and theft. Gavita Barha, who lives on Sandpiper Road, near Fourth Line and Upper Middle Road, said the mischief began simply enough in June when she awoke to find her family's cars had been pelted with eggs overnight. A few weeks later, the vandalism continued with Barha finding large rocks piled on her car. "That was weird because they just placed them. Thank God they didn't drag them because these were the big round stepping stones you use for walkways," she said. "There were a few on the front part of the car, a few on the top and a few on the back." During this incident the vandals had also pulled some of Barha's young trees out of the ground and left them there. Worse was to come in the weeks that followed when, shortly after being purchased, Barha's daughter's bicycle was stolen from the front yard. "This was in broad daylight," said Barha. The last straw for Barha took place on Thursday night when thieves again visited her home. "We were watching TV at around 11:30 p.m. and my neighbour comes running to my house and said that two guys were outside our house and they've taken something," said Barha. "Sure enough I go outside and one of my lawn figurines is missing." The neighbour said the men arrived in a black SUV, which they parked in her driveway before stepping out and grabbing the figurine. After hearing about what had happened, Barha returned to her home, but before she could call police the thieves struck again. "A half hour later the neighbour came over again and said those guys had been back and they'd taken a second one (figurine)." The figurines are described as three feet in height and made of cement. One is a figurine of a woman while the second is a figurine of two children on a swing. Barha, who has only been living in her Sandpiper Road home for about a year is struggling to understand what is happening in her neighbourhood. "It's a really safe environment, we live right across from the school," she said. "I just don't know what is going on." While Barha's home may have been targeted an inordinate num- ber of times during the summer, she does not believe that her family has been specifically singled out. Barha said her neighbour recently had her car broken into, but knowing she is not alone in experiencing this type of crime has done nothing to ease Barha's concern. She estimates between the vandalism and the theft, she has lost about $1,000, as well as her peace of mind. "It's crazy," she said. "It's driving me nuts. It's ridiculous and it's not funny. We've got two little children and we don't even feel safe anymore." Barha has filed a police report on the incidents, but hopes that making her experiences public will move residents to keep their eyes and ears open at night. Halton police said the problem is much bigger than the incidents taking place on Sandpiper Road. "There have been some problems in various areas of Oakville actually. That sort of behavior is not specific to the one area of Fourth Line and Upper Middle Road," said Halton police Detective Dale Stanton. "The guys on the road are doing their best to watch out for that (vandalism) and they're patrolling the neighbourhoods specifically for that and car entries, which have been a big problem lately." TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR RETIREMENT PLANNING by attending our Guaranteed Retirement Income for Life, Lakefront BBQ. Please join your hosts: Raymond Jackson, CSA & Senior Life Insurance Advisor ­ Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Simon Jackson, CSA, Insurance Advisor - Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. Mike Warus, Vice President of Sales and Marketing - CI Investments Inc. Enjoy a BBQ overlooking the cool blue waters of Lake Ontario while we discuss how SunWise Elite Plus addresses the unique challenges you face: · · · Longevity risk ­ outliving your money. Market risk ­ the possibility that a market downturn could affect your investments and reduce your retirement income just before or after you retire. Inflation risk ­ erosion of your purchasing power. & & "Remember that outliving your income is not an option." Location: Harbour Banquet & Conference Centre, 2340 Ontario Street, Oakville, Directions: QEW ­ South on Bronte Rd. ­ Continue on Bronte Rd. which turns into Ontario St. ­ End at 2340 Ontario St.. Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Time: 7:00 pm ­ 8:00pm Please call or e-mail Simon @ (905) 849-4700 or Simon.Jackson@manulifesecurities.ca before Monday, August 18th to confirm that you will be attending and / or bringing a referral. Insurance products and services are offered through Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. (A licensed life insurance agency and subsidiary of Manulife Securities) by Manulife Securities Advisors licensed as life agents. This event is brought to you in part By CI Investments Inc. It's our Birthday Bash! FREE Burgers, Hot Dogs & Cake for our valued customers Saturday August 16 from 11am to 3pm We Are Celebrating 16 Fantastic Years In Oakville Birthday Wine & Beer Sale 5 Days Only Starting Friday, August 15, 16, 17, 19 & 20 Closed Monday Prepared by you on site. Purchase One Batch of Wine or Beer at Regular Price and Receive the Second Batch of Equal or Lesser Value For 1/2 Price 481 North Service Road W. 905-825-BEER (2337) 3rd Line Some conditions apply, see store for details. Valid August 15 to August 21/08. Limit 4 batches per customer. Take Advantage of this Once a Year Sale to Have your Aged Wine Ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas! North Service Rd. EIN STEIN 4th Line Dorval 481 Q.E.W. HOURS: MON. closed. TUES.-FRI. 12-8, SAT. 9-5, SUN. 11-3 481 North Service Rd. JUST WEST OF DORVAL 905.825.BEER 2337