Peterborough Blogs
Multiple Police Services Receive $492,000 In Ontario Government Grant To Combat and Prevent Auto Thefts
/The Ontario Government has invested $492,609.94 over three years to help the Ontario Provincial Police - Central Highway Safety Division, Rama First Nations Police Services and the Peterborough Police Service to combat and prevent auto thefts, announced at the Fisher Drive carpool lot on Wednesday.
“This collaborative partnership between police services will help will give officers the tools needed to fight auto theft between Peterborough and Rama First Nations,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Car thefts within this community are happening at alarming rates and this is unacceptable. We must stay one step ahead of these thefts and this investment will assist law enforcement in getting these criminals off the street and keeping vehicles safe and secure.”
The funding is part of the provincial government’s new Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant program designed to support new and enhanced crime-fighting measures. It focuses on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement. In total, 21 police projects across the province are receiving funding for an investment of $18 million over three years in the fight against auto theft, according to a press release.
From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto thefts across the province and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone, according to the Ontario government. They also claim that car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023 compared to last year in the same timeframe.
“This investment will make a difference in combatting auto theft, and we are happy to support our law enforcement colleagues in addressing this issue,” said Chief Stuart Betts of the Peterborough Police Service. “What people don’t realize is that auto theft in itself is serious and can lead to other serious crimes in our community. We see this grant as a way to continue to ensure public safety in Peterborough and surrounding areas.”
The funding will aid the police in special training and increase public awareness.
“This will allow the policing community to work collaboratively with industry stakeholders to disrupt and suppress auto thefts,” said OPP Inspector Chris Galeazza. “The Peterborough County OPP Detachment has a close-working relationship with the Peterborough Police Service. We will work diligently to enhance our partnerships with our non-enforcement agencies and disrupt the threat posed by individuals and organized crime networks, leading to safe communities and a secure Ontario.”
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Peterborough County OPP Funded Over $60,400 to Deploy Trained Mental Health Crisis Workers From Emergency Calls
/Peterborough County OPP has received $60,401.08 from the Ontario government to provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, announced at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch (CMHA) on Tuesday afternoon.
The funding goes towards the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant program that has police utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.
“Our police are increasingly confronted with the need to assist vulnerable people in a mental health crisis,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This funding will assist the Peterborough County OPP deliver appropriate services focused on de-escalation. Meeting the unique needs of an individual who is in crisis will help ensure a better outcome for everyone involved.”
Anyone calling 9-1-1 can request a mental health crisis worker and they will be accompanied by an OPP officer.
“Our unit will make our best efforts to make it out there in a timely manner and get you the help that you need,” said Roy Maddan, OPP officer.”
In 2023-24, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 39 municipal and First Nations police services, as well as Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), to help strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.
“We will be working with community partners to deliver a MCRT that will meet the unique needs of the communities,” said Mark Graham, CMHA CEO. “The team responds to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health crisis that will provide immediate support and follow-up.”
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Oshawa Couple's Viral TikTok Shows Stolen Camping Trailer Allegedly Fleeing OPP Pursuit On Hwy. 401 in Northumberland
/Oshawa residents Mike Sidey and his girlfriend Elizabeth Williams were driving westbound on Hwy. 401 in Northumberland Sunday morning when they encountered an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) operation to stop a fleeing truck towing an allegedly stolen camping trailer.
“It was definitely different that’s for sure. It was entertaining, something that you wouldn’t really see unless you were watching it on T.V. or at the movies or something like that,” said Sidey. “It was like Grand Theft Auto in real life.”
On that Sunday morning, he recalls merging onto the 401 from Trenton at the same time as the OPP officer.
“That was at 11:30 a.m. We got on the 401, we merged, (the OPP officer) drove away, no lights, no sirens, no nothing. Just doing his regular, routine patrol.”
About 3 to 5 minutes later, traffic began to slow down. Sidey noticed the officer on the side of the highway.
“I saw the OPP officer sitting on the side of the highway and standing outside his vehicle trying to flag two participants down.”
The participants, two camping trailers in the right lane, were being passed by a tractor trailer in the other lane.
As the trailers passed the officer, Sidey says the officer threw his hands in the air “in disgust.”
“That’s when the back trailer decided to cut over to the left lane, and started driving off. I slowed down and I actually looked at the people in the (vehicle). I tried to get his attention but he wouldn’t even look at us,” said Sidey.
The trailer then began swaying between both the right and left lanes, and Sidey noticed its stairs were still out.
“That’s when I started (recording). I had my phone up on my dash recording, then my girlfriend took the phone to record more and put them on TikTok.”
Sidey’s video currently has over 300,000 TikTok views and over 10,000 likes.
The video shows the officer pursuing the truck towing the camping trailer in an attempt to pull the vehicle over. The trailer takes the Big Apple exit off of Hwy. 401 and into Colborne.
That trailer, according to OPP, was allegedly stolen from Northumberland.
“When we got home, around 12:30 p.m., my buddy had sent me a link saying that they were stolen trailers. I was like, what are the odds we got that on video?!”
An Ottawa man, 59, was charged with a number of offences, including flight from a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two drug charges, operating an unsafe vehicle and driving a motor vehicle while under licence suspension.
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Belleville on April 24.
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OPP Seeking Information on Missing 42-Year-Old Woman
/Updated at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25, 2022: Ontario Provincial Police - Central Region has confirmed Weaver’s whereabouts and is safe.
Ontario Provincial Police is looking for 42-year-old missing woman Lisa Weaver announced on Tuesday.
Lisa is described as:
165 cm (5’5’)
Long brown hair, heavy build
Brown eyes
Weaver was last seen Monday on County Road 46 in the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen. She was wearing a blue t-shirt, orange safety jacket, black sweatpants and white running shoes according to the OPP.
Anybody with information or have had contact with Weaver is asked to call #OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Record Checks Can Be Obtained Online As Of June 13
/The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is moving record checks online as of June 13.
The online application process will allow members of the public to apply quickly, easily and securely for:
• Criminal Record Check (CRC)
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
• OPP Non-Parent Custody Check (LE213)
Payment will be collected electronically as part of the online application process, with results delivered directly to the applicant through a secure portal link.
The fees for record checks remain unchanged:
• Record checks: $41.00
• Fingerprints: $90.00
• Volunteer checks: free
The new process will allow those living in OPP-policed communities to submit requests for police record checks at opp.ca/recordchecks.
OPP Handing Out Positive Tickets to Kids For Positive Community Behaviour
/This summer, the Ontario Provincial Police has begun “Operation Freeze” handing kids “positive tickets” for demonstrating positive behaviour for the community announced Tuesday.
Kids will receive coupons for a free small “Froster” in a partnership with Circle K convenience stores.
Reasons may vary but the OPP is out looking out for the following positive behaviours:
To recognize youth for practicing personal safety such as wearing bicycle helmets
Doing various good deeds
Participating in community activities
Demonstrating community pride (eg. picking up trash)
Deterring crime or observing school crossing rules
As an "icebreaker" to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area
"This is a great initiative and allows officers the opportunity to interact with youth in a positive manner," said Terry Ward, Dufferin OPP Detachment Commander. "These interactions with police can open dialogue with the youth and leave a good lasting impression."
The OPP will run a similar campaign this winter called “Operation Heat” for a free hot beverage.
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OPP Are Responding To Numerous Calls About Snowmobiles Going Through Ice, Many Due To Impaired Driving
/After another snowmobiler went through the ice on Saturday night (January 26th)—this one on Chemong Lake near Bridgenorth, and the person is facing impaired driving charges after being pulled out of the water safely by friends—OPP Central has put out a tweet to the public about snowmobile safety.
OPP said this in a tweet that is being widely shared: “Officers across Central Region have responded to numerous calls regarding snowmobiles that have went through the ice. #PtboOPP officers were called to Chemong Lake where a male drove in to open water and was impaired. Luckily he was not injured.”
OPP said in an earlier tweet that alcohol was a contributing factor in 48% of snowmobile fatalities in the province since 2008…
OPP are now deploying aviation and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as a tool for speed enforcement, and search and rescue…
Heart Of Gold: Peterborough County OPP Officer David McNab Retires After 30 Years
/David McNab, a humble, giving and caring Peterborough OPP officer, has announced he is retiring after 30 years serving for the force.
McNab, the man behind the viral video of Syrian refugees toboganning for the first time, wrote a heartfelt Facebook message announcing his retirement from this profession he loved.
"I have more gratitude than I could ever express for what this career has taught me and for what it has allowed me to be part of," McNab wrote in the Facebook post. "The job is more about problem solving than about enforcing rules, despite what it appears to be.
I’ve met incredible people and I’ve seen true heroics and unselfish acts far more than I’ve seen the bad side of human nature. Despite the feeling to the contrary, the world is full of goodness if we can only recognize it when we see it."
"I was fortunate to work for what I believe is one of the most professional organizations anywhere and I’ll miss the people and the sense of family," adds McNab. "I’ll miss the teams I was part of and the rush that came with successful resolutions amid serious situations. I’ll miss the public that I worked for and the ability to occasionally make a real difference for somebody deserving."
You can read his entire Facebook post below...
Watch the awesome video below by McNab and his wife Kristy from January 2016 that now has nearly 400,000 views on YouTube....
OPP Announce $50,000 Reward In Case Of Missing Person Lorraine Roach
/Peterborough County OPP announced Tuesday (December 30th) the province is offering a $50,000 reward for anyone that can provide info that will help solve the mystery of missing Peterborough woman Lorraine Roach. Roach has been missing since May 11th, 2013 after leaving her home on Hilliard Street in Selwyn Township, and her minivan was found a couple days later on Ackison Road south of Lily Lake Road just west of Peterborough. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance, and extensive police searches in the area have turned up nothing.
OPP "believe strongly" that someone knows something about Roach’s disappearance, and that this reward will motivate someone to come forward. Roach was 58 years old at the time of her disappearance.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Peterborough County OPP at (705) 742-0401, the OPP Communication Centre at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
[Related: Where Is My Mom? Watch & Share A Daughter's Emotional Appeal To Find Her Missing Mom Lorraine Roach]
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