Peterborough Police Service Introduce Military Veterans Wellness Program For Increased Veteran Support

The Peterborough Police Service has introduced the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP) in Peterborough, Lakefield and the Township of Cavan-Monaghan, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The program will help the Service enhance its ability to support and connect with military veterans in our community and within our service according to the Peterborough Police. They continue to say that it equips frontline officers with heightened awareness, training and the tools necessary to recognize and understand military veterans’ unique needs.

The MVWP helps veterans access critical social services offered through organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC), and Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS).

After a police referral, these national agencies will contact the veteran within 72 hours. They may provide a case worker, advocate, or peer support to assist veterans in accessing the benefits and resources available.

A 14-year tenured Peterborough Police officer and member of the Canadian Armed Forces will serve as a program ambassador to our frontline officers. Officers and civilians will also complete online training courses to learn about life in the Canadian Armed Forces, the traits and struggles veterans may face as they transition from a life in the military, and interaction and de-escalation techniques. Peterborough Police anticipate this training will be completed in the coming month.

“As Remembrance Day approaches it is fitting that we take a moment to learn more about the supports available to our veterans and how we can help,” said Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief. “We know there are approximately 3,000 – 5,000 unhoused veterans across Canada, including some in our city.  It is important that we as a service understand the unique circumstances and challenges of veterans who have served and if possible, offer a path to services.”

In addition to launching the program, the Service has created a pin (image below) that will be issued to Peterborough Police Service members who are military veterans, civilian and sworn, serving in the organization. The pin will not only help foster a sense of connection with our community members but also show support to the members of the Service. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City of Peterborough Celebrates Grand Opening of Fire Station #2

The City of Peterborough celebrated the grand opening of the new net-zero Fire Station #2 with an open house to welcome the public to the facility located at 100 Marina Blvd. at the former Northcrest Arena location on Thursday afternoon.

Council members past and present with Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger unravelling the hose in lieu of a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the Fire Station’s grand opening. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The building uses passive solar design and renewable energy sources. It is considered the City’s first facility designed and built to be certified as a net-zero carbon and net-zero energy building.

A combination of high-efficiency and intelligent technologies, including automated control systems, ground-source heat pumps, rooftop solar panels and heat-recovery systems, are installed. The building is constructed with a mass timber structure, a carbon-sequestering material and a high-performance exterior envelope. An abundance of natural light, provided through bird-friendly, high-performance windows and doors, reduces electrical light and heat loss.

“Today is a big step forward for Peterborough as we move toward achieving the goals of our Climate Change Action Plan,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This new fire hall will help the City reduce greenhouse gas emissions while delivering a vital service to Peterborough residents.”

Fire Station #2 has incorporated training facilities into the building including training areas for pumper operations and technical rescue disciplines such as rope, confined space and trench.

“The training capabilities within this station will help Peterborough firefighters maintain and enhance their training, ensuring we are ready to respond to all emergencies,” said Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. “The location of the fire hall enables us to respond to those calls quickly and strategically.”

The building's net-zero design is expected to save the City an estimated $24,270 per year in operational costs.

The City says it will pursue net-zero carbon and net-zero energy certification through the Canada Green Building Council.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Missing Havelock Teen Logan Tozer Found Safe After Being Missing For Over Two Weeks

After being missing since Oct. 13, the long search is over as Havelock teen Logan Tozer has been found Wednesday morning according to the Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Facebook Photo.

OPP officers found the 18-year-old in an abandoned building in Havelock at roughly 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, according to a media release.

The teen was known to have high-functioning autism. The building where he was found was a regular ‘hideout’ spot and had previously been searched regularly.

Tozer was immediately transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution.

The OPP Central Region Crime Unit is continuing the investigation with assistance from Peterborough County OPP, OPP Emergency Response Team, OPP Canine Unit members and OPP Aviation Services.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Douro-Dummer Fire Services and Enbridge Gas Partners Partner to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths

Enbridge Gas Inc. and Douro-Dummer Fire Services (DDFS) have partnered to improve home safety and reduce fire—and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero, announced at Douro-Dummer Fire Station 2 on Monday afternoon.

(From left to right) Chuck Pedersen, Douro-Dummer Fire Chief; Heather Watson, Douro-Dummer mayor; Derrick Huffman, Douro-Dummer Deputy Chief of Fire Services and Jeff Braithwaite, Enbridge Gas operations supervisor. Over the past 16 years, the program has provided more than 101,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to a press release, Douro-Dummer Fire Services received 114 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero. The project is a public education campaign with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) that will provide more than 14,500 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario.

Enbridge Gas invested $450,000 in Safe Community Project Zero this year.

“The best way to reduce potential exposure to carbon monoxide is to properly maintain fuel-burning equipment,” said Jeff Braithwaite, Enbridge Gas operations supervisor. “These alarms are a critical second line of defense against carbon monoxide poisoning, known as ‘the silent killer.’ We’re proud to support our communities and raise awareness and help Ontarians implement these protection strategies.”

When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels.

“We are excited to receive this kind of support, so we can ensure that people in their homes are protected with these life-saving devices,” said Fire Chief Chuck Pedersen.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Bridgenorth Man Missing After Being Dropped Off at Transit Station

The Peterborough Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 71-year-old Bridgenorth man Paul Scott, announced missing on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

He was last seen on Tuesday when he was dropped off at the Transit station in Peterborough. He intended to make his way to Oakville and may still be in that area of the GTA. Family and police are concerned for his well-being as he suffers from confusion.

He is described as:

• Male

• White

• Brown hair with a grey moustache

• 5’9

• Very thin

• Last seen wearing a dark hoody, jeans, backpack and slippers

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Police Seeking Aid In Locating Missing 61-Year-Old Peterborough Man

The Peterborough Police Service is looking for the public’s assistance in locating 61-year-old Peterborough man Ricky Clarke, who was declared missing on Tuesday morning.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

Clarke was last seen around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning walking southbound on Fairbairn Street. Family and police are concerned for his safety as he has been diagnosed with dementia.

He is described as:

• Male

• White

• 6’7

• Bald

• Last seen wearing black jeans and a blue bomber-style jacket with beige sleeves and a black toque

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Ontario Government Investing Over $10 Million For Faster Emergency Care and Increased Ambulance Availability For Peterborough County

The Ontario Government is investing $10,037,559 in Peterborough County to connect people to faster emergency care faster and increase ambulance availability, announced at Peterborough EMS on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“When people call 911, they need to know that paramedics will arrive quickly to meet their needs. A delay in a service call of just minutes can lead to drastically different results,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “The Peterborough County-City Paramedics work hard to deliver emergency medical care. This investment will help all of us receive better service when our loved ones pick up the phone at that critical time.”

According to a press release, the province is increasing land ambulance funding by six per cent, bringing the province’s total investment in the region to $10,037,559 this year. The release continues to state that this base funding increase helps municipalities address increased costs and continue delivering high-quality emergency care.

“With record high population growth and call volumes, our Peterborough County-City Paramedics are working hard to keep up,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “The Provincial funding announced today will help our paramedics service to continue providing the high quality of care that Peterborough County and City residents expect and deserve. Thank you to the province for this funding to help our paramedics do their job and keep our communities safe and healthy.”

To further reduce delays paramedics encounter when dropping patients off at a hospital, the Ontario government is investing $607,727 in Peterborough County through the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program to hire more nurses and other eligible health professionals dedicated to offloading ambulance patients in hospital emergency departments.

“Peterborough County/City Paramedics have worked closely with PRHC identifying and implementing strategies to assist with offload delays,” said Patricia Bromfield Peterborough County Paramedic Chief. “The continuance and increase of funding received this year is important for our ongoing staffing of this program and returning our ambulances back to the road to service the community.”

The program allows paramedics to return to the community faster and respond to their next 9-1-1 call sooner. It has significantly reduced ambulance offload times and increased ambulance availability for 9-1-1 patients across the province. As a result of this investment and the dedication of healthcare professionals, provincial ambulance offload time has been reduced by more than 50 per cent since its peak in October 2022 according to a press release.

Ontario is also continuing to implement the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) across the province to ensure urgent patients receive critical care sooner. The system helps prioritize and triage emergency medical calls and dispatch paramedics sooner. Over the last year, the province has rolled out MPDS to Mississauga, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Ottawa and Renfrew and is accelerating progress to implement the system at the 15 remaining dispatch sites across Ontario over a year ahead of schedule.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

One Woman Dead From House Fire Been Ruled Accidental From Last Tuesday Afternoon

The Ontario Fire Marshal has ruled that the fire was accidental and claimed the life of a 43-year-old Peterborough woman at a residence last Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:40 p.m., an officer on general patrol was flagged down and was informed of the fire at Rubidge Street and Townsend Street.  

The woman was found inside the apartment by Peterborough Fire Services and despite life-saving efforts from Fire and EMS, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

What started the fire has not been determined.

The police investigation is considered completed after the Fire Marshal’s ruling.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Police Undergoing Training Exercise In Lakefield; Areas to be Closed During This Time

There is a heavier Peterborough Police presence in Lakefield at the former Ridpath School due to a training exercise underway.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Emergency services personnel including the Emergency Response Team, will be in the Ermatinger Street and Edward Street area at the closed public school for a training exercise.

Police training signs will be placed as a perimeter, loud noises may be heard and neighbours may see officers with weapons drawn.

Public notification will be made after the exercise.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Police Urge Head of the Trent Attendees to Celebrate Safely; Heightened Police Presence During Weekend Festivities

With Head of the Trent homecoming running this weekend from Friday until Sunday, first responders are urging the community to celebrate safely during Trent University’s festivities.

Mark Ressor, Peterborough Police Service Staff Sergeant (left) and Julie Davis Trent Vice-President, External Relations & Development (right) addressing the media of having a safe homecoming during the weekend’s festiviites. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The first responders include the Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough Emergency Management, Peterborough Fire Services, Peterborough City-County Paramedics, Trent University, and the City of Peterborough.

The Peterborough Police have developed a coordinated response to help navigate the weekend over the coming months. As a result, a heightened police presence will be present throughout the city and additional police officers will be hired to patrol the campus.

“During large events, we often see an influx of 911 calls,” explained Mark Ressor, Peterborough Police Service Staff Sergeant. If you are seeing things in the community that pose a risk or a danger, we're asking people to call in so that we're aware of it and can respond appropriately. Ultimately with people's safety and well-being our primary concern.”

He continues to state that during these events, Police typically receive calls regarding noise, disturbances, mischief, damage to property and impaired driving.

While the Police say they have an all-hands-on-deck situation for the weekend, it will not affect any day-to-day calls that are not affiliated with the homecoming weekend.

Police are asking the community to be safe while celebrating, ensure everyone gets home safely and be good neighbors and community members. 

“We know that this is a time of celebration and we would like to see a positive and safe experience for all,” said Ressor.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.