Community co-operation has paid another dividend that we're hoping makes a meaningful difference to an annoying problem.

On July 21, 2010 at 1:30 a.m., a St. Thomas resident reported observing two males spray painting the rear of a downtown building. The males were wearing hoodies and carrying backpacks with spray paint and markers. Police located and arrested two St. Thomas residents, ages 19 yrs. and 18 yrs., for Mischief. Police checked other buildings and found more related graffiti resulting in a total of 15 Mischief charges being laid against each male. The males were released with a future court date. The Chamber congratulates and thanks everyone involved at St. Thomas Police for their prompt action on this incident.

In 2009, the St. Thomas Police, the Downtown Development Board, the Salvation Army and the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce started working in conjunction with local retailers to rid our fair City of graffiti. Business owners are encouraged to notify police and the Chamber when their building is ‘tagged’ with graffiti. The police will document the damage, and the Chamber will provide a special ‘flyer’ to the business owner to purchase graffiti removal supplies from participating local suppliers at a discount. YOU MUST HAVE A FLYER FROM THE CHAMBER TO QUALIFY! If a business owner would like to give the work to young offenders who have community hours to make up, the Chamber will contact the Salvation Army to arrange assistance. Our Member Services Coordinator, Mike Vecchio, handles this program in the Chamber office. Call him for more information at 519-631-1981 Extension 23 or visit our office at 555 Talbot Street next to City Hall. We're open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.