York Regional Police are marking Chinese new year

York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge has extended, on behalf of himself and his staff, best wishes to the Chinese community for a happy, prosperous and safe Year of the Rat.

Chinese New Year will be celebrated tomorrow (Thursday).

The Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600 B.C., when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Like the Western calendar, the Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, with the start of the lunar year being based on the cycles of the moon. This means the date for the New Year changes each year as it falls on the second New Moon after the first day of winter, which is usually Dec. 21 or 22. Therefore, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. A complete cycle takes 60 years and is made up of five cycles of 12 years each.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar names each of the twelve years after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only 12 came to bid him farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality and believe: "This is the animal that hides in your heart."

"I would like to extend best wishes for good health, prosperity and new friends to all members of our Chinese community as they celebrate the Year of the Rat," said La Barge. "Understanding and appreciating each other's culture serves to bring all people closer together in this richly-diverse region."

While police encourage everyone to enjoy the occasion, they would also like to remind residents to stay safe. They are urging residents to drink responsibly as they celebrate. Officers will be out in full force, on patrol and at Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) spot checks, to ensure everyone ushers in the new year safely. Don't drink and drive. Designate a sober driver, take a cab, public transit or call a friend.

If you are celebrating in the community, remember to lock your vehicle and place any valuables in the trunk of your car. Avoid dark, unpopulated areas and try not to travel alone at night.

If you decide to celebrate at home, remember to keep your doors and windows locked. Do not open your door unless you know who is on the other side. Report suspicious people and vehicles to police, and they will respond to these calls.