Festive RIDE checks starting soon
The Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Festive “Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere” (RIDE) campaign is about to commence. Officers will be conducting random RIDE check stops starting November 24 through to January 2, 2018. The OPP is reminding drivers that any amount of alcohol or other drugs can impair one’s ability to drive.
Through the OPP Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) program, the OPP’s goal is to prevent collisions and reduce deaths and injuries caused by drivers who are impaired by drugs. Ontario legislation carries penalties for drug-impaired driving that match those already in place for alcohol-impaired drivers.
If you plan on consuming alcoholic beverages, plan to not drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi, or stay overnight.
We rely on the public to report crime and impaired driving is a crime that should be treated no differently. If you suspect that someone is driving or about to drive impaired, call 9-1-1 and report it.
Driver injured in single vehicle collison
On November 19, at approximately 2:20 pm, the Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a single motor vehicle collision on Bidwell Road in the Township of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands.
Officers attended and observed a 2007 Ford pickup truck on its side in a ditch filled with water.
The 63-year-old driver, of M’Chigeeng First Nation, was transported to hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. There were no other passengers or vehicles involved.
Bidwell Road was closed in both directions for approximately half of an hour. Weather conditions were a factor, and there are no charges as a result of this collision.
The Manitoulin OPP remind motorists to slow down, stay alert and stay in control—these simple steps will go a long way in reducing the number of winter weather-related collisions on our roads.
Male charged with uttering threats
The Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is currently investigating an incident that occurred in relation to Manitoulin Secondary School.
On November 12, 2017 school staff contacted the OPP in response to a threatening comment made towards the school through social media. Through the course of the investigation it has been determined that this was an isolated incident and public safety is not a concern at this time.
The investigation is continuing and an 18-year-old male from Gore Bay has been charged with one count of uttering a threat to cause death, contrary to section 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The male is scheduled to appear at the Provincial Court of Justice in Gore Bay on November 28, 2017.
Any person with information regarding this investigation should contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-88-310-1122 or 705-368-2200. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.