Unwanted person results in arrest
On Sunday March 5, shortly before 9 pm, officers of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police responded to an unwanted person call from a female at a residence on Wakegijig Avenue. Officers arrived and determined that all parties at the residence had been consuming alcohol. Upon speaking to the female resident who called, police were directed to remove an unwanted male. A records check revealed that the male was in contravention of a current bail order and was subsequently arrested accordingly.
A 40-year-old male from Wikwemikong has been charged with three counts of failing to comply with a recognizance and was scheduled to appear in Gore Bay for bail on Monday, March 6.
Thirteen fatal snowmobile incidents in past six weeks more than double toll from last season
With fatal snowmobile incidents now more than double the number this time last season, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are dismayed to see the same behaviours drive the numbers up at an alarming rate.
Fatal snowmobile incidents and resulting deaths now sit at 20 for the season, compared to eight such incidents and 11 deaths to this time last year. Thirteen of the deaths have occurred within the past six weeks. The causes and contributing factors clearly reflect snowmobilers’ ongoing disregard for their own safety and that of their fellow riders and passengers:
Twelve of the deceased either collided with a tree, a rock, a snowbank, a road vehicle or another snowmobile.
Speeding excessively, too fast for the conditions and/or losing control of their snowmobiles were actions in nine of the incidents.
Four of the snowmobilers were travelling on frozen waterways. Three of them encountered open water and the fourth fell through the ice. Sadly, in one of those incidents, a young passenger died.
Driver inattention was the primary cause of four fatalities.
A lone snowmobiler died of hypothermia after her snowmobile became stuck in the snow—a harsh reminder of what can happen when you do not pack an emergency kit for each ride.
Seventeen males and three females, which include a 16-year-old and an 11-year-old girl, have been killed to date. According to OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, the prominent demographics among the deceased may come as a surprise to some and are telling in terms of the attitudes and behaviours among some Ontario snowmobilers.
“Men in their fifties and sixties make up the majority of this season’s snowmobile deaths, with 15 of the 20 deceased within these age groups,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair. “What snowmobilers and their families need to take away from this is that even those with considerable driving experience—be it on a snowmobile or in a road vehicle—are equally vulnerable to the inherent risks associated with this popular, yet high-risk recreational sport.”
The OPP is urging snowmobilers to stay off lakes and rivers, the conditions of which are deteriorating rapidly in many parts of the province. Family members are also encouraged to help their loved ones make smart decisions before they head out, to help ensure a safe return home from their ride.
Police partners need you to recognize, reject and report fraud
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and its Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre partners are launching their annual Fraud Prevention Month campaign to prevent thousands of Canadians from falling victim to fraud.
During the month of March, the OPP, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Competition Bureau of Canada are joining police services across the country to promote public awareness to help prevent all Canadians from becoming victims of fraud.
This year, the OPP’s Fraud Prevention Month education campaign will highlight three mass marketing fraud priorities including: Emergency Scam and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Scam; Romance Scam; and Microsoft/Computer Service Scams.
Fraud-related crimes take a destructive toll on victims while amassing millions of dollars to further criminal enterprises. Sadly, 95 percent of fraud victims never report the crime to police. Regardless of age, gender and location, everyone can take basic steps to better protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud. Some basic tips include never giving out personal or financial information at the door, over the phone, by email or through social media, or on to unsecured retail or dating websites.
The OPP will be posting tips and links to various resources online. The public is encouraged to engage in the conversation to help them recognize, reject and report fraud” on social media by using the hashtags #FPM2017 #DontBeAVictim and #OPPtips.
If you or someone you know suspect they’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your local police service or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through a new, easy to use Fraud Reporting System (FRS). To report fraud or any crime anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (1-800-222-TIPS) or online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm
