Manitoulin OPP stresses safety during the deer hunt
The annual deer hunt on Manitoulin Island is upon us once again. From Monday, November 21 through to Sunday, November 27 some 5,000 hunters will flock to the Island. The Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) asks everyone to place safety first.
The OPP would like to remind hunters to follow firearms safety rules. While hunting, firearms must always be pointed in a safe direction with the safety “on” until you are ready to safely shoot the weapon. Your finger should never be on the trigger until you have identified your target, sighted it and you are ready to shoot. Anyone who discharges a firearm is responsible for the round coming from their weapon and they must be sure of their target.
Before hunting, check local sunrise and sunset times. Hunters may only hunt from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. If you are in an area inhabited by wildlife, during the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise you must unload and encase your firearms.
Remember, on Manitoulin Island hunters require written landowner permission along with a valid licence to hunt deer legally. Hunters are required to wear hunter orange above the waist and on the head.
For complete hunting regulations and more hunting safety tips, visit the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) website.
Over the coming days expect to see the OPP conducting roadside checks to prevent impaired driving. Manitoulin Detachment commander, Staff Sergeant Kevin Webb says, “Expect to see officers throughout the week at these checks. We want our road users to arrive at their destinations safely. Also, expect to see our officers conducting checks with MNRF Conservation Officers. We hope to have another safe hunt this year.”
Please do your part, be responsible, and remember to hunt safely.
Wiky Police investigate horse-vehicle collision
On Friday, November 18, members of the Wikwemikong Police were notified of a motor vehicle collision on Bayview Heights west involving a passenger van and a horse. An elderly male was travelling east on Bayview Heights when a black horse ran out from a driveway into the path of the oncoming vehicle. Officers attended and learned that two horses had been left free to graze however departed the property and were being retrieved by the owner. The horse in question was not seriously injured and the vehicle had sustained some front end damage. The incident is still under investigation and charges are pending.
Vehicle in the ditch leads to impaired charge
On Friday, November 18, at 9:15 pm, Wikwemikong Police were dispatched to a report of a vehicle in the ditch at the intersection of Henry and Genevieve Streets. Upon arrival officers observed a black Honda Civic in the ditch with three males standing nearby. It appeared an effort had been made to extract the car from the ditch, which was unsuccessful. Upon questioning by police, a 25-year-old Wikwemikong man identified himself as the driver and admitted to having consumed alcohol prior. As a result of further investigation, the male was arrested and charged with impaired driving offences then released on a promise to appear scheduled for January 25 in Wikwemikong to answer to the charges.
Break and enters on the rise
An increase in the number of break enter and thefts are being reported to the Wikwemikong Police with a variety of items being stolen including fuel oil. The public is reminded to take a proactive approach when it comes to these crimes by making it more difficult for would be thieves. Always ensure your residence and vehicles are securely locked at all times as well install appropriate locking devices on fuel tanks and outdoor sheds. As well, do not leave property unsecured in the yard and ensure there is good lighting. For more information on crime prevention tips contact the community service office of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police.
M’Chigeeng man charged with drinking and driving
On November 11 at 11:32 pm, an employee at a local hotel contacted the Espanola Police Service to report that a male had attended inside the hotel looking for directions to the Legion, and smelled of alcohol.
Within two minutes of receiving the call, an Espanola police officer located the described vehicle parked in front of the Legion on Annette Street, with the male seated inside. Upon engaging the driver in conversation, the officer detected the odour of alcohol on the male’s breath and noted other indications that he’d been drinking, such as slurred speech and reduced motor skills. The officer arrested the male for care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired, and transported him to the police station where subsequent breath tests provided two readings of 190 mgs of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
As a result of being in the care or control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, the 50-year-old M’Chigeeng resident was charged criminally with care and control while impaired, and care and control with over 80 mgs. Further, he was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with being a novice driver – BAC above zero. He will appear in Espanola Court on December 19 to answer to his charges.
Pursuant to statute, his driver’s licence was suspended for a period of 90-days, and his vehicle impounded for seven days.
