Peterborough County/City Paramedics to Implement New 9-1-1 System

Paramedic services throughout Southeastern Ontario, including Peterborough County/City Paramedics, are introducing a new system for 9-1-1 emergency calls that will take effect on March 26, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The new system is part of the Government of Ontario’s Your Health Plan. It will require 9-1-1 callers to answer more detailed questions regarding the patient's condition.

Patients with less urgent or non-life-threatening conditions may experience longer wait times during periods with higher call volumes. For less urgent cases, patients will remain under observation through ongoing communication with ambulance communication officers to ensure no change in the patient's condition.

According to Peterborough County, the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) will match paramedics with specialized skills and equipment to each case, ensuring that non-urgent demand in emergency departments is reduced.

The County says that the data from regions already using MPDS has shown notable improvements in key operational challenges, including reduced offload delays at hospitals, better management of meal claims for staff and decreased end-of-shift overtime.

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Peterborough Police Service Launch Pedestrian Safety Campaign

The Peterborough Police Service has launched a pedestrian safety campaign that encourages everyone to walk safe, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

This campaign is in partnership with Peterborough Public Health, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County/  

Whether travelling on a city street or using a rural roadway, the safety of all road users should be front and center. Peterborough Police over the coming weeks will release essential safety tip.

From families on their morning trip to school to someone walking to the bus stop to get to work or even the short trip one may make from the parking garage to a shop, each of us makes many walk or roll trips each day.

In 2024, there were 44 pedestrian-involved collisions in the Peterborough Police Service policing areas (City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield, Township of Cavan-Monaghan), with 39 of them (89 per cent) resulting in injury. In local OPP-patrolled areas, there was one pedestrian-involved collision that resulted in one death and one person injured. 

The Peterborough Police’s goal of releasing these safety tips is to reduce the risk to those walking, running, or rolling on city and rural roads, as well as minimize their exposure to hazards.   

There are tried and true Pedestrian Safety Tips that help everyone to #walksafe: 

1. Be Visible  

• Wear Bright or Reflective Clothing: Choose clothing in bright colors (such as neon or white) or wear reflective gear, especially if walking during low-light conditions (dawn, dusk, or night) or inclement weather conditions.  

• Carry a Flashlight or Headlamp: If walking in the dark, use a flashlight or headlamp to help you see and be seen by drivers.  

• Use Reflective Accessories: Consider adding reflective tape or vests to your clothing or gear, making you more visible from a distance.  

2. Walk Facing Traffic  

• Face Oncoming Vehicles: On streets without sidewalks, always walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic so you can see approaching vehicles and take action if necessary.  

• Stay Alert: Minimize distractions by only having one headphone in and low volume. If you need to text, stop, text and then continue walking when you are done. 

3. Stay on the Shoulder  

• Use the Shoulder: Walk on the shoulder of the road, as far away from moving vehicles as possible.  

• Give Passing Vehicles Space: When cars or trucks pass by, stay as far off the roadway as possible to give them plenty of space.  

4. Choose Safe Walking Routes  

• Select the Safest Routes: Choose roads with the least amount of traffic or where traffic moves slower. If high-speed roads are your only option, please choose to be extra cautious. Consider roads that have wider shoulders or clearer visibility for drivers. Be alert at curves or areas with limited sight lines.  

5. Cross Safely  

• Use Marked Crossings When Available:  If no designated crossings are present, choose the safest location to cross with good visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.  

• Look Both Ways Before Crossing: Always check for oncoming traffic in both directions, even if the road seems clear. Don’t assume vehicles will stop for you.  

• Don’t Rush the Hand: Give yourself plenty of time to cross at intersections and designated crosswalks.  

6. Be Mindful of Weather Conditions  

• Adapt to Weather Changes: In poor weather (rain, fog, snow), visibility is reduced. Wear more reflective gear, and if conditions are severe, consider postponing walking if you can.  

• Stay Alert: Be aware of how conditions may impact vehicles. Poor weather may impact vehicles’ ability to stop or steer. Walk with extra caution, particularly when there is no sidewalk or crossing the street.  

7. Carry Identification  

• Carry ID and Emergency Info: Always carry identification and a phone with emergency contacts, especially if walking in more remote areas where help may not be readily available.  

8. Limit/Avoid Walking at Night  

• Utilize Well-Lit Roads: When possible, stick to roads and sidewalks that are well-lit during night or times or low light. 

• Limit Nighttime Walking: If possible, avoid walking after dark, especially on rural roads as visibility is low, and drivers may not expect pedestrians. If walking is unavoidable, ensure you have sufficient lighting and reflective gear. 

9. Be Cautious Around Large Vehicles 

• Watch Out for Large Vehicles: Rural roads and areas near construction zones are often utilized by large trucks, farm equipment, and other heavy vehicles. Be extra cautious, as these vehicles require more space and have longer stopping distances.  

• Give Farm Vehicles Extra Space: Always give farm equipment plenty of room, especially when it’s traveling at slow speeds or taking up the whole road.  

Motorists also have an active role to play in pedestrian safety. Motorists are reminded to: 

Be Alert for Pedestrians 

• In the dark or inclement weather, pedestrians may be less visible. Be alert and aware of other road users.  

• Remember to check for pedestrians crossing at intersections. Do a double check when making turns, as a pedestrian may arrive while you’ve been looking for a gap in traffic. 

• If a crossing guard is present, follow their instructions. Be patient and remember that stop means stop.  It’s important that cars remain stopped at crosswalks until everyone is back on the sidewalk.  

Be Aware of the Posted Speed Limit 

• Slow down and give space to pedestrians on roadways  

• Speed limits in many City and County school areas are reduced, be mindful of students walking or rolling to and from school 

• Community Safety Zones are established to provide awareness of higher concentrations of vulnerable road users, speeding fines can be doubled in these areas. 

 Be Mindful of Weather Conditions  

• Adapt to Weather Changes: In poor weather (rain, fog, snow), visibility is reduced, and road conditions may be impacted. Leave yourself extra space and extra time to travel. 

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Police Seeking Missing Peterborough Woman Who Has Been Out of Contact With Family and Friends

UPDATED: 11:16 p.m. 03-03-25

Luxton has been found as of 7:20 p.m. according to the Peterborough Police Service.

The Peterborough Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating missing 35-year-old Peterborough woman, Heather Luxton, reported on Monday afternoon.

Her family last saw her at the end of October. They are concerned for her safety and well-being. While they do have sporadic contact with her, this is a longer period without contact with friends or family.

She was last seen in Downtown Peterborough. Luxton was wearing a blue jean jacket lined with white fleece, grey track pants, black running shoes and had long faded red hair.

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

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Peterborough Police to Let Kids Take Charge With "Chief For a Day" Program Essay Contest

The Peterborough Police Service is returning the ‘Chief For A Day’ program which gives a Grade 5 student an opportunity to experience a day as Police Chief for the Peterborough Police Service. 

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Students from Peterborough, Lakefield and Cavan-Monaghan are eligible to enter. Entrants are asked to write a 300 to 500-word essay on what they would do if they were Chief for a day.

The contest winner will be fitted with a full Peterborough Police Service Uniform and experience a day in the life of our Police Chief, including being sworn in, meeting the officers and different units, as well as presenting your essay to the Peterborough Police Service Board.

Completed essays can be sent to chiefofpoliceoffice@peterboroughpolice.ca with the entrant’s full name, school, the city the school is in and the school board the student attends. The deadline is on March 25.

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Lansdowne Place Evacuated and Temporarily Closed While Peterborough Police Investigate

UPDATED: 4:57 p.m. 19/02-25

Peterborough Police Service urges the public to stay clear of Lansdowne Place after the mall had been temporarily closed and evacuated for an investigation on Wednesday afternoon.

File Photo.

Police responded to a call for service just after 2 p.m.

The mall has been closed as a precaution for the day. Police have not disclosed the reason for the closure. Police also state that they have no timeframe for the mall’s reopening at this time.

Peterborough Police Service officers have continued their presence in the area and all entrances to the mall are currently blocked.

The Peterborough Police Service RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) will be up as part of the investigation.

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Two People Displaced From Home After Residential Fire On Denne Crescent

A residential fire broke out at a home on Denne Crescent and two people were displaced as a result early Tuesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

Peterborough Fire Services responded to the call at 7:45 a.m. Heavy smoke was observed venting under pressure from multiple openings, with fire on the main floor and in the roof/attic area.

Fire crews successfully accessed the structure and initiated aggressive search, vent and fire suppression operations. They could confine the fire to the main floor and associated attic area.

Heat and smoke have caused extensive damage to the remainder of the property. Peterborough Fire Services remains on the scene for further investigation.

Peterborough Fire Services believes the cause of the fire is accidental.

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Peterborough Police Rescue Man Who Was Found In Hypothermic State In Jackson Park

A 61-year-old Peterborough male is recovering after officers found him outside in Jackson Park Wednesday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Officers received a call about a man who had not shown up for a medical appointment. He had been known to frequent Jackson Park so officers started searching the park with the assistance of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) and K9. 

At about 9:30 p.m., officers located the man in the park in a hypothermic state. With the assistance of Peterborough Fire Services and EMS, he was taken to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment. 

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

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Peterborough Woman Found Guilty With Careless Driving Causing Death of Three-Year-Old Girl From Woodglade Boulevard Collision

A 43-year-old woman involved in a motor vehicle collision on Woodglade Boulevard that resulted in the death of a three-year-old girl on March 23, 2023, has been found guilty of her actions.

File Photo.

The verdict was handed down on Friday. The 43-year-old Peterborough woman was found guilty of careless driving causing death under the Highway Traffic Act.

Sentencing will be held on Feb. 28.

The incident occurred when the woman’s vehicle came off the road and struck the girl in the driveway of the residence. The child was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and has since succumbed to those injuries. No one else was injured in the collision.

The Peterborough Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated, and after a five-month investigation, the charge was laid on Sept. 6, 2023.

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Police Seeking Missing 35-Year-Old Peterborough Man

The Peterborough Police Service is asking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person 35-year-old Justin Lambert, reported on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

He was last seen leaving his residence in the downtown area around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. His family and police are concerned for his well-being.

Lambert is described as:

• black jacket

• green toque yellow "Zelda" logo

• prescription glasses

• black pants

• reddish hair

• 6'1

• Thin build

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

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Woman Rescued and Declared Safe After Accidently Falling Into the Water

A woman is safe after accidentally falling into the water while walking along the path near the Otonabee River in the George Street and Dalhousie Street area, reported on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 8 p.m., officers received a call about a woman in the water. 

They were able to get the woman out of the water within minutes. 

She was treated by EMS at the scene. 

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

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