HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-10-25, Page 31 /iE ir./NGII 4OK/' N E TINES.
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Drano bombs concerning for local p
By CAMERON J. WOOD
The Advance -Times
BRUSSELS — The recent sentenc-
ing of a 20 -year-old man and the
charging of a young offender from
this village have raised concerns re-
garding the extent of mischief:
Drano bombs have become all
too popular among the youth of
Brussels and the potential for disas-
ter looms great according to the
Wingham OPP.
Constable Mike Alexander said
in September the police had heard
of between 50 to 100 incidents of
drano bombs in the village alone.
In addition, the trend has spread to
Listowel and the Sebringville OPP
detachment regions.
And although the sentencing of
Jeremy. Pasztor to 12 months in jail
has helped to calm the number of
incidents, the fact that the knowl-
edge to continue to mini f`4ign of
terrorism is distrubing.
"The word is out," he said of the
arrest and subsequent jail term. The
constable also said some are begin-
ning to see that this will not be tol-
erated.
Alexander said that during his in-
vestigation into the current bomb-
ing incidents, he was told that some
30 youths — between the ages of 13
and 25 — have the know-how to
build a drano bomb.
Where the knowledge came from
for these bombs, Alexander said, he
is unsure. Some have told him that
people have passed on the informa-
tion needed to create a drano bomb,
Explosive information
just
a phone call away
With just a simple phone
call, using a modem and
a standard 486 IBM
computer, I can learn
how to create an explosive device
powerful enough to match that of
the one used in Oklahoma City this
past spring.
In fact, with access to the Inter-
net — our information superhighway issue underneath that is the poten-
- I can learn toadminister terrorism tial for yet greater destructive pow
the likes we cannot imagine in our ers. '
quiet corner of the globe. In looking at this, I. turned to the
most prominent source, the Inter-,
net.
In a matter of minutes I had
searched for and found an exten-
sive list of available sites for the
implementation of terrorism. For
those who understand the Internet,
my search engine returned 228
"hits" with one key phrase — The
Terrorist's Handbook. For those
who don't understand the terminol-
ogy,.a "hit" is a file or home page
containing the key phrase
The information contained in this
material is straight forward. It ex-
plains how to use various house-
hold products to create explosive
devices.
Deeper investigation revealed
even more dramatic results. Within
10 minutes of access, I had found
over 15 different explosive devices
that can be made without a PhD in
Nuclear Physics. Everything from
the relatively harmless shaving
cream bomb to plastic explosives
made with household bleach to
pipe grenades to blowing up a car
upon ignition. Material encourages
people with such disclaimers as.
"This type of charge is ideal for the
destruction of enclosed areas such
as rooms or buildings."
All of this comes by simply pay-
ing for access to the information su-
perhighway and using a decent
search engine No codes, pass-
words, security clearance, anything.
Despite the "low end" nature of
these current drano pop bottle
bomb incidents in Brussels, the
frightening aspect of knowledge re-
mains.
Terror
on our
streets
Cameron J. WOOD
Information, in this modern age,
, is rapidly available. Yet, with the
expansion of the Internet and, like
networks, this information is. not
•,•necessarily landing in the hands of
people responsible enough to deter-
mine right from wrong.
In examining the recent rash of
drano bottle bomb explosions in
.Brussels, we have been able to see
where things are going among our
youth. Bored and unemployed — al-
lowed to run wild — they are devel-
oping from the simple pranks of
soaping windows or stealing lawn
'ornaments to more explosive be-
havior.
In our technological age, these
youths have been able to learn how
to create devices that can literally
level a building. We have been for-
tunate enough that this has not yet
happened, but the potential exists.
Drano pop bottle bombs are rela-
tively small in comparison to other
easily accessible devices. These
bombs, when mixed properly, have
been known to disintegrate cement
cinder blocks, severely damage
bridges and buildings, and poten-
tially maim and injure people.
The know-how to create these
bombs exists in great numbers
throughout our region. Police say
that during their investigation into
the some 50 to 100 incidents in
September alone, they have been
told that some 30 youths in the
Brussels area know how to build
one. Most recently, two were
charged with bombings, and one
sent to jail.
However. the more concerning
Council objects to
subdivision fees
By JIM BROWN
The Advance -Times
Morris Township received a
draft schedule of new planning ap-
plication fees from the County of
Huron.
Township council had no objec-
tions to the overall proposal, ex-
cept for the proposed fee for sub-
divisions and condominiums.
The existing fee for subdivi-
sions and condominiums is $1,730
with the proposed fee increasing
to $3,500.
Township council objected to
this proposed fee because it was
too high for small municipalities.
The council also received an es-
timate from Union Gas, for the
heating of the municipal hall. The
township would have a net saving
of $82 per year by using natural
gas.
ftV
Council accepted its agreement
with the Wingham recreation
board, as presented.
However, council has sent a let-
ter to Winghain recreation advis-
ing them that Moms Township
council wants to review the entire
agreement for 1996.
Council also learned that small
communities will receive the
$5,000 recreation grant for 1995.
some tips from people in Eastern
Canada, and the biggest culprit in
modern age terrorism, the Internet.
The Internet has proven to be an
extreme source of controversy. In-
formation about terrorist acts can
be easily downloaded by anyone '
with a computer and modem. Mate-
rial such as The Terrorist Hand-
book and numerous anarchy -based
pages can be found through Inter-
net search engines. The majority of
the material is not password pro-
tected and thereby public and free.
A drano bomb uses the house-
hold product as one of its main
components to create a gas build-
The Advance -Times.
begins its series of
reports on waste
management and
ecyclingin the region.
up inside a pop bottle and subse-
quent explosion. The potential for
destruction is evident. Alexander
said when mixed properly, the
bomb can blow apart cement cinder
blocks. More tragically, the im-
properly mixed bombs can take fin-
gers off hands of the creator, leave
severe acid burns and ultimately
something more deadly.
Retailers in the region, he said,
should be wary of selling products
to individuals who may not neces-
sarily need those products — such as
a teenager purchasing drano or alu-
minum foil, two of the products
necessary to build a drano bomb.
`Rank stupidity' nets jail term
Continued from front page
Conservation Authority warranted
a jail term of two years less a day.
Defense attorney Mike Donmetly
argued the bombs were not high ex-
plosives and the length of the sen-
tence should be somewhat less.
The court was also told that an-
other bomb had been set off by
Pasztor on Sept. 12 outside Old -
field's Home Hardware which
shook the windows of the building
and roused the owners from their
sleep.
Pasztor was on probation from
Saskatchewan at the time of the of-
fences for theft under $1,000 and
theft over $1,000.
Donnelly said it would be unrea-
ssaults
result in
90 day
jail term
Man violates
parole; pled
guilty in court
A Wingham man will spend 90
days behind bars after pleading
guilty to two counts of assault in
Wingham Provincial Court.
Matthew Nairn, of 104 Patrick
Street East, pled guilty to one count
of assault causing bodily harm and
one count of common assault be-
fore Judge R.G.E. Hunter.
The court heard that the first as-
sault took place on August 5 out-
side the Wingham Inn. The victim,
Scott Solomon was sitting on the
steps with another party when
Nairn and co -accused Jonathan
Grummett approached him. Words
were exchanged and Solomon was
punched and kicked in the ensuing
fight. He was treated for his inju-
ries at Wingham and District Hos-
pital.
On August 20, Nairn and Grum-
mett were involved in what defense
attorney Alan Mill described as a
"donnybrook" in the Mac's Milk
parking lot. The victim attended the
Wingham OPP station and reported
the assault to Wingham Town Po-
lice Constable Ed Dare.
Mill said the Aug. 5 assault was
the result of a previous altercation
between the parties involved and
that Nairn was not responsible for
the majority of the injuries sus-
tained by Solomon: The second as-
sault came as a result of a fight be-
tween several parties.
Grummets received 60 days for
his role in the assault on Solomon
at the September court session.
Crown Attorney Don Vale said
Nairn was on probation at the time
of both assaults and recommended
incarceration. He also noted that
Nairn had an extensive criminal
record, dating back to 1991.
Hunter sentenced Nairn to 60
days for the assaults and an addi-
tional 30 days`for breach of proba-
tion.
sonable for the court to expect pay
ment for damages from Pasztor as
he had been collecting welfare
since returning to the region from
the province of Saskatchewan.
In defense, Donnelly said the
matters were in nature of a prank
and that Pasztor did not operate
alone. He said he received encour-
agement from his peers in the acts,
but agreed that certainly was not an
excuse.
In handing down the sentence,
Judge R.G.E. Hunter said the num-
her of offences, along with the
"rank stupidity" of the acts them-
selves warranted a lengthy term. He
sentenced Pasztor to nine months
for the arson of the washroom facil-
ities and three months consecutive
for the breach of probation, for a a to-
tal of 12 months. Pasztor received
four nine month concurrent sen-
tences for the bombings. In addi-
tion, he issued a 10 year prohibition
on owning or possessing any fire-
arms, ammunition or explosives.
vlted`to attend this showing of seri,
per�ing on Tuesday afternoon, October; lsh'
at 2:00 p.m.
at the Library
iIlrlt t,. ill be open during regular Library hours
31st until
IDOtober November
ane Week Onhu�..: r4=,
day' 2:00 - 9:00, Wednesday 200
Thursday 2:00 - 9:00,
ay 10:00 - 5:00, Saturday 10:00;
til
kinCarving Contest:
"Join in the Fun and Enter. All grade school
children are invited to participate."
Thursday, October 26, 1995
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Judging will take place at 8:45 p.m.
Beside Pandora 's nth)
Howson Nibs
(formerly
WINOKAM PARKS AND
RECREATION OEPT.
Prizes will be awarded for the
1. Funniest
2. Scariest
3. Best Overall °
Certificates & treats for all participants.
Entry Rules:
1. Complete and hand in the entry form with your pumpkin the night of the contest.
2. Your own pumpkin must be cleaned and carved at home, prior to the contest.
3. Bring your own props (vegetables, glasses, clothing etc.) to display your pumpkin.
4. Judging,will be at 8:45 p.m., you can pick your pumpkins up after this time.
For further information contact the Wingham Recreation Department
357-1208
'Wingham Recreation Department 1995 Great Pumpkin Carving Contest,
ENTRY FORM
1 Name of Pumpkin Carver: .l.
1 Age: School:
Address:
Telephone:,
�--- .111= MIS
-
MN ANN.
Devon
Ham Steak
175 gr
GROCERIES
Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips .99
Mott's Clamato Juice 1 L 1.89
Added Touch Cake Mixes 250 gr .69
Wonder Raisin Bread 450 gr 1.49
Hillshire Cheddarwurst Sausage 375 gr2.89
Kismet Margarine 454 gr .59
Fresh
White
Mushrooms
$' 89
FROM THE DELI
Schneider's
Thuringer Summer Sausage $3.99/Ib
Pillers
Black Forest Ham O $4.29/Ib
Pillers
Polish Sausage Coil $1.79/1b
9/Ib
We Carry Fear's Local Honey Products
We have Super - Jet
Carpet Cleaning Rentals
-We Deliver -
Any where in Town
Any Day of the week .5O