COMMUNITY / POLICE PARTNERSHIP
(COBALT, ON) – Members of the Temiskaming Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised of a missing 11-year-old child on the evening of March 4, 2014 in Cobalt at approximately 9:00 p.m.
The weather was light snow and approximately -20 C. Police commenced their search immediately and requested the assistance of The OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Canine Unit, OPP Motorized Snow Vehicles, Cobalt volunteer firefighters were deployed and several community members assisted.
Following a lengthy search, shortly after midnight, a local resident found the child outdoors. He was observed my ambulance, sustained no injuries and was safely returned home.
The Temiskaming OPP acknowledges the members of the Community and the Cobalt Volunteer Fire Fighters for their commitment to this successful search.
JOINT POLICE PROJECT DISMANTLES ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATIONS
(ESSEX COUNTY, ON) – Members of the media are invited to join members of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau tomorrow as they outline the results of an investigation involving illegal drug trafficking, bookmaking and online gambling operations.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod will be joined by Superintendent John St. Louis from the Windsor Police Service to provide information and details about this joint forces investigation
OPP REMINDS EVERYONE TO BE SAFE ON THE TRAILS THIS MARCH BREAK
(WEST PARRY SOUND, ON) – With snow still on the ground, the warmer weather coming and the March Break right around the corner, many people will be out on their Motorized Snow Vehicles (MSV) in the District of Parry Sound .
West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Constable Jason Bridle, MSV Patrol Officer, offers the following reminders:
- When travelling on a trail, assume that there is oncoming traffic. Travel on the right portion of the trail to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Most trails are barely wide enough for two sleds to pass and if someone is over the centreline, it wouldn’t take much for two skis to become entangled.
- Snowmobilers should remember that there is little to no protection offered by a snowmobile compared to an automobile and should be extra cautious not to exceed the legal speed limits and always wear your helmet.
- No level of alcohol is safe when operating a snowmobile. Snowmobilers are subject to the same Criminal Code offences as motor vehicle drivers when it comes to drinking and sledding.
“As the warmer weather approaches, there will be more and more sled traffic on the trails. Take your time. Sled safe and sled smart,” states Constable Bridle.
The OPP wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable March Break!
OPP DISTRACTED DRIVING CAMPAIGN
(SUDBURY, ON) – Distracted driving is now the leading cause of death on Ontario roads. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be launching its Distracted Driving Campaign over the March Break which will run from Saturday, March 8 to Friday, March 14, 2014.
In 2013, a total of 31 people died in collisions across the North East Region. Distracted driving was the contributing factor in 6 of the deaths while 2 deaths were alcohol related. Whereas, in 2012, a total of 33 people in the region died in collisions and 9 deaths were as a result of distracted driving and 3 deaths were alcohol related.
During last year’s Distracted Driving Campaign, a total of 94 charges were issued in North East Region relating to distracted driving and 4 charges of Careless Driving were laid as a result of distraction related incident.
Distracted driving refers to all forms of distracted or inattentive driving such as adjusting a vehicle’s radio, GPS unit, eating, drinking, using a hand-held device, self-grooming or tending to children in the back seat. “Drivers need to remember that the true danger to public safety lies in the distraction, NOT the device”, says Staff Sgt. Garry Mills, Detachment Commander at Sudbury OPP.
There are three main types of distraction:
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing
Motorists need to be aware that if you cause a collision or leave the road because you’ve spilled your coffee, were applying makeup, were changing the radio station or were distracted by some other activity not related to driving, you could be charged with Careless Driving. Officers recommend that you carefully select the time you pursue activities that may be distracting while driving. If you have to change the radio station, do it while stopped at a red light for example. Drivers need to devote their entire attention to driving safely.
Studies show that a driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to crash than a driver focused on the road while dialing and texting carries the highest degree of risk of all cell phone related activities.
The OPP is reminding motorists that on March 18, 2014, the $155 fine for using a handheld device while driving will be increasing to $280.
