GORE BAY—While providing some advice on how the town and members of the Gore Bay community can assist the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in terms of the vandalism that has plagued the town during the summer and fall, Inspector Robert Walsh, Manitoulin detachment commander indicated that within the entire detachment area, impaired driving charges have increased in the past couple of years and the impaired charges are not only for alcohol related, but drug related cases.
“The biggest thing we have seen is the influx of impaired charges within the detachment,” said Inspector Walsh. “Is there a growing problem? Perhaps. But in the Manitoulin detachment there were 44 impaired charges in 2022 which increased to 93 in 2023. And, this year we surpassed the figure of 93 a month and a half ago.” Of the 110 impaired driving charges so far this year, 69 have been alcohol related and 40 involved drugs.
“Our officers are putting a lot of time and effort into that, and we are seeing incredible results,” stated Inspector Walsh, pointing out the Manitoulin detachment has seen an increase of 40 percent in the number of reduce impaired driving everywhere (RIDE) checks officers have conducted. “It seems to be an issue everywhere; all communities are seeing an increase in drug usage. On Manitoulin and Espanola in our detachment we are seeing the same.”
“I want to thank the public for their vigilance in reporting suspected impaired drivers and helping to keep Ontario’s roads, trails and waterways safe. Impaired driving is the top criminal cause of death in Canada and it includes off-road-vehicles and marine vessels. I encourage members of the public to continue reporting suspected impaired drivers, your phone call could save someone’s life.”
“We are pulling a large amount of narcotics off the road,” said Inspector Walsh. With one way to the Island via road, from Highway 17, six officers are able to stop some of the drug flow from reaching the Island. “Our officers have been very successful in keeping a large quantity of drugs from getting to the Island,” noting the Manitoulin OPP works with the UCCM Anishnaabe Police and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Services on these and all incidents. “Rest assured; the officers are doing an exceptional job.”
Two examples of this involve an incident on November 9 where the Manitoulin OPP arrested and charged one person in Espanola on impaired operation and drug related charges following a traffic complaint on Highway 17 near Nairn Centre. The person charged had approximately $66,000 of drugs seized following the impaired arrest. As well, at a RIDE check in Espanola on November 19, on Highway 6, two persons were arrested for possession of suspected cocaine and possession for the purpose of selling, along with property crimes. Officers located over 12kg of dried cannabis, with a street value of approximately $41,200, over 140 packages of cannabis gummies with a street value of approximately $5,800, 50 cannabis vape pen cartridges with a street value of approximately $2,000 and over 10 grams of suspected cocaine, with a street value of approximately $1,000, along with Canadian currency.
Along with impaired driving and narcotics numbers, Inspector Walsh said another concern of the Manitoulin OPP is the number of Intimate Partner Violence cases it responds to. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the violent crime most commonly reported to police and continues to be a serious and prevalent problem in Ontario, said Inspector Walsh. “Although our data does not reflect a significant increase in reports in OPP jurisdiction, the OPP recognizes that IPV remains under reported to police.”
“We are working diligently to protect against victimization and ensure that appropriate supports are provided to victims of this crime,” said Inspector Walsh. “We are also committed to working with government and community partners to effectively combat and help prevent IPV in our communities.”
Gore Bay town manager Harry Schlange told Inspector Walsh, “We’ve seen a lot of petty vandalism in Gore Bay recently and we would like to hear what we can do to prevent this.”
“Members of the community who see or know of an incident can call the OPP non-urgent phone number if they see any suspicious activity or want to report an incident,” said Inspector Walsh. “The most important thing is for people to call in these reports when they see any type of incident or suspicious event.”
Inspector Walsh said he had a Gore Bay town councillor indicate to him recently that petty vandalism has become an issue in town, but when he ran a check on the incidents on the OPP investigation report there were no reports made to the OPP of anything having taken place in Gore Bay.
“If we don’t know there is a problem we can’t investigate an incident,” said Inspector Walsh. “And it impairs the investigation if we don’t receive a report very soon after the vandalism has taken place. We would strongly encourage local residents or the town to call when vandalism has taken place.”
“Report these incidents as soon as possible,” said Inspector Walsh. If we are getting information well after the fact it poses a barrier to us in investigating.”
Inspector Walsh was asked if the service at the Gore Bay detachment is on a 24-hour basis.
While this is the case, “It doesn’t necessarily mean an officer is stationed at the detachment 24 hours a day. It depends on whether incidents are taking place in other areas, like Mindemoya. But Gore Bay is never without police service.”
“The officer’s job is to be on the road and to respond to incidents in Gore Bay but in other areas as well, such as Mindemoya,” said Inspector Walsh.
“Most of the vandalism we have seen here in Gore Bay has been at night,” said Mayor Lane. “One of more serious incidents was at night and a neighbouring property owner caught the incident on video. But the incident was not resolved. It might be advantageous if police were on patrol a portion of the night say from 10 am to 1 pm, especially on weekends. Is it possible?”
“Yes, absolutely,” stated Inspector Walsh. “We can have more officer patrols at night.”
“My understanding is we have been reporting all the vandalism incidents.in town,” said Mayor Lane.
Inspector Walsh informed council that the Manitoulin OPP detachment was one of five in the province identified for the new service delivery model in Ontario. This includes reassessment of the operations and an increase of almost 30 percent in staff.
One additional officer is to be added in Espanola and two more on Manitoulin, one in Gore Bay in the new year, and one in the summer, council was told.
“It’s nice to see the Manitoulin OPP was selected as one of the five key areas in the province for this,” said Mayor Lane.
