Feature Article July 17, 2002
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Expensive prank in South Frontenacby Wilma Kenny Report of a suspicious package brought business to a halt at South Frontenac Township offices in Sydenham, last Friday around noon. The building was evacuated while police and firemen followed required emergency procedures.
A
substance that appeared to have been a spoonful of sand included in a
property tax payment triggered a series of events which may have cost
taxpayers well over $1,000. Clerk Gord Burns said that one of the
office secretaries handed the unopened envelope over to him. He opened
it, and finding that the senders name was on the tax payment,
assumed that the substance was likely sand, but felt that the police
should be notified. The police have procedures which they must follow
in the case of such a call. As a result, two fire vehicles with
firemen in full protective gear, one volunteers truck and two
police cruisers rapidly assembled at the township hall.
Constable Glen Fowler estimated the incident used up eight hours of
policing resources.
This kind of stupid behaviour on the part of one taxpayer costs us
all, said Mayor Phil Leonard, The firemen are volunteers. They
had to leave their work to respond, and the police and municipal staff
were pulled away from their regular jobs. Equipment was taken out and
put away, air tanks had to be refilled, reports written. It all costs
time and money, one way or another.
Both Mayor Leonard and Mr. Burns praised the emergency teams for their fast and efficient response.
