Burglars target Victoria Avenue stores
By Jessica Murphy
In the early hours of March 9, between 12 and 3 a.m., five stores were broken into – four on Victoria Avenue and one on Sherbrooke Street.
In each case, the method was the same: the glass front window was smashed and the door then unlocked from the inside. Despite the string of break-ins, the burglar netted less than $200 in total while causing thousands of dollars in damage.
“We’re not talking professionals — we’re talking opportunists,” said Station 12 constable Adalbert Pimentel. “There are more things damaged than stolen.”
Nothing was missing from one store and the largest amount taken out of all the break-ins was $50.
Pimentel and Station 12 colleague Caroline Gauthier spent quite a bit of time in March visiting merchants to advise them on better security. “They all said, ‘What a waste of time,’" said Pimentel. "One storeowner said, ‘If they’d asked, I would have given them the money instead of replacing the door.’”
Police recommend leaving the cash register visibly open and empty or posting a sign saying “No money kept in store.”
“Does (the sign) have an affect? It could,” Pimentel said. He suggests storeowners layer their security to help prevent the headache of petty crimes. Protective, unbreakable glass and deadbolts for the doors can stop a forced entry. Cameras and alarm systems can further help prevent opportunistic crimes. “You might still get in but the energy and equipment – it’s not worth it,” he said. “This was not planned out. It’s high risk taking for very little gain – an act of desperation, but still a serious crime of break and enter.”
Police have increased patrols in the area but so far have no suspects in the Victoria Avenue break-ins.
New rules for drivers
Westmount police are reminding drivers of the new laws in place this month. Since April 1, hand-held cell phone use is banned in cars.
“We’re going to start giving warnings. On July 1, you’re going to get fines, but in April it will be warnings,” said Pimentel.
If drivers pull their car over to use the phone, they also need to park legally, he noted.. Cell phones can be used hands-free or with Bluetooth technology. “That’s acceptable, that’s legal,” said Pimentel. “Although the SAAQ highly recommends you don’t (use your phone at all while driving).”
The SAAQ warns the use of a cell phone while driving is “a major distraction” and say the likelihood of having an accident increases by 38 per cent.
Drivers caught using hand-held phones will receive a fine of $115 and three demerit points off their license.
Each year, 250 people are killed and over 11, 000 injured on Quebec roads due to speeding. In a bid to lower these rates, the Quebec government has increased the penalties for excessive speeding on Tuesday.
In Westmount, “there’s a serious problem, on The Boulevard there’s a lot of speeding, on Sherbrooke. Most fatalities, accidents, are due to speeding,” said Pimentel.
Speeding is considered excessive when the vehicle is going:
• 40 km and more over the limit in a 60 km zone,
• 50 km and more over the limit in a 60 km to 90 km zone, and
• 60 km and more over the limit in a 100 km zone.
The number of demerit points and the fine will be doubled from the current numbers for the first, second and third offenses. For the fourth offense, the fine will be tripled. Also, speeders will lose their license for seven to 60 days, and your car may be seized for up to 30 days.
Weather: Montreal, July 5th 2008 / 20°C
/ Clear
/ Wind: 11 Km/h / Humidity: 64 % 
Steven Guilbeault - 
Regarding Cell Phone & Distraction
Mouhamad A. NaboulsiArticle online since April 6th 2008
Banning hand held phones is step one in saving lives, but let’s face it, connectivity gives us competitive edge. If we turn off our cell
phones, we will be at a disadvantage by the next person who is still using it.
What is need is not more legislation, enforcement or Disconnectivity. What we need is managed middle ground that's based on safety and Facts
THE TRUE DATA FROM THE FIELD shows that
1- 43% of accidents occur when the phone rings in and drivers try to answer. (NO CONVERSTATION YET)
2- 23% of accidents occur when a driver tries to dial a number, Similar to texting. (NO CONVERSATION YET)
3- The remainder caused by multiple reasons including conversation.
This data was confirmed more then once by studies in Japan and referenced by many U.S. scientists as well as NHTSA.
This managed middle ground should create order in the vehicle and give priority to driving tasks over other activities, but still enable
other activities while helping keep/or even assuring Eyes on the Road and Hands on the Wheel. Such engineering should be based on real world
data
We have developed, proved and globally patented a system that balances the entire driving experience with emphasis on safety, but still
allowing drivers to use communication technologies while driving. Our system has the following key features:
1- Hands are monitored to be on the steering wheel, this enables configuration to enable or disable devices when hands status is not
compliant with safety.
2- The driver controls all accessories, including cell phones from “thumb gesture” on the steering wheel. (Yes, texting is possible if the
laws allow it)
3- Incoming communications are silenced when Drivers are passing, merging, changing lanes, turn signal engaged, etc, (So as not to surprise
the driver).
4- Any information, whether from a caller ID or navigation direction is given verbally to the driver, so there's no need to look at a screen.
5- System is calibrated to driver’s skills and experience so a teen aged driver is given certain allowances and elderly drivers are provided
more assistant.
6- System is geographically aware based on Navigation data of curves, lights, stop signs and other legal boundaries and can warn driver’s to
slow down or modify behavior when distracted
7- The system can fits into a cell phone, and connects to the car network “CAN” physically or wirelessly and communicates with the steering
thumb sensor in the same manner.
8- The system also detects signs of DUI from the driver handling the steering wheel, heart, sweat, temp, gripping strength and steering
corrections, and then reports the driver to police, activate the emergency lights and limit speed of the vehicle.
We need to stay connected to stay competitive, but we need to do it safely. What we need is to educate our legislative bodies to require a
device like ours on every vehicle. This will auatomatically enforce driving & calling rules without the need to have a policeman for every
drivers.
88% of people that see our demo say they’ll buy such a device while 87% think of it as the safest thing as compared to what’s out there.
Please contact us on www.actplace.net .
Thank you: Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, president Applied Computer Technologies, Inc.
www.actplace.net