Manitoulin OPP say thank you
Constable Allan Boyd, Community Services Officer with the Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police, would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Manitoulin, who have supported and assisted us in our efforts to make this a better and safer place to live during this past year. “Our successes would not have been possible without you. Once again on behalf of all members of the Manitoulin OPP Detachment thanks and have a very merry and safe Christmas season.”
Detachment Commander’s Christmas wish
Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Kevin Webb would like to wish all a safe and happy holiday season. As a lot of people will soon be travelling for the holidays, the OPP would like to remind motorists to be prepared and be safe. Weather conditions can be variable and unpredictable, placing extra demands on your vehicle and you’re driving skills. Take the time to ensure you are well prepared for winter roads and exercise extreme caution when travelling on snow or ice covered roads—“snow means slow.” Stay alert, slow down and stay in control are the three key elements to safe winter driving. Drive according to current road and weather conditions. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Avoid situations where you may have to brake suddenly on a slippery surface.
If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. If you’re in an area with cell phone service and have a cell phone, call for help. Remember, dialing *OPP (star 677) will connect you to the nearest Ontario Provincial Police Communications center.
Before heading out, check weather and travel conditions. Don’t take chances if the weather is bad. Give yourself extra time for travel, or wait until conditions improve. The OPP recommends accessing the service from home before heading out on a trip at www.ontario.ca/511; if you are already on the road, pull over safely to a store or restaurant well off the roadside before calling even if you have hands-free Bluetooth technology. Any distraction while driving is dangerous. There’s plenty of winter weather ahead and the OPP urge drivers to drive with extra caution. Let’s all enjoy a safe winter season.
Did you know?
That the Ontario Provincial Police responded to many 9-1-1 calls over the past year. All calls were dialed in error and required the officers to attend and verify that there were no actual emergencies.
Again, an “emergency” constitutes any situation that requires immediate assistance when the safety of people or property is at risk, e.g. a crime in progress, a motor vehicle collision, a fire or a medical emergency.
9-1-1 is not intended to be used as a number that is convenient for those who will not take the time to look up the non-emergent number for the OPP, fire or ambulance service.
Do not call the OPP for road conditions or closures. The MTO 511 Traveller Information Services provides up-to-date road information for provincial highways in Ontario by telephone at 511 or online on the MTO TRIP website at www.ontario.ca/511. When traveling, plan ahead by checking the MTO website or calling the MTO number for up-to-date road and weather conditions for the area in which you will be traveling.
Do not program 9-1-1 in your phone and teach your children that the phone is not a toy and should not be used in “pretend games.”
Approximately 90 percent of 9-1-1 calls received are NOT emergent in nature.
OPP Calls for service numbers: 1-888-310-1122, 1-888-310-1133 (TDD). Local detachment numbers during regular business hours are listed in the telephone directory.
Think before you dial. Someone with an actual emergency or a call that requires the police may be delayed because all lines or call takers are otherwise engaged. It could be a matter of life and death!
