Police briefs
(FORT FRANCES, ON) – On July 25, 2021 at 5:14 p.m. members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of an assault with a weapon that occurred at a local business located at the #400 Block of Portage Ave. Police and Ambulance attended the scene and located a victim with serious life threatening injuries. The 20 year old victim was subsequently air lifted to Toronto for immediate medical attention.
The investigation is ongoing with the collaboration of the Fort Frances Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Services (FIS), under the direction of the Northwest Region Crime Unit.
On July 26, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. police located the suspect involved in the assault in the #400 block of Portage Ave. and placed them under arrest.
A 38 year old Fort Frances woman has been charged with aggravated assault. She remains in custody awaiting her next Ontario Provincial Court appearance on July 29.
Members of the public with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Online information can be provided at ontariocrimestoppers.ca
VANDALISM
(FORT FRANCES ON) – On Tuesday, June 29 , 2021 the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Rainy River District Detachment received several calls reporting residents in the Town of Fort Frances discovering their vehicles had been vandalized throughout the night.
It was determined that in the early morning hours, unknown individual(s) attended addresses on Riverview Drive in the Town of Fort Frances and maliciously scratched phrases into the paint, damaging the appearance of the vehicles
The OPP want to remind all residents that if they see anything suspicious to please contact the police immediately. If anyone is found committing acts of mischief, appropriate charges will be laid.
Members of the Rainy River District OPP are continuing to investigate and is seeking the public’s assistance with this investigation. If anyone has any information or security cameras in the area, where they may have captured individuals committing these acts, they are being asked to contact police at 1-888-310-1122.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.p3tips.com/273 where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
SAFE TRAVEL
With many families travelling on roadways over the Civic Day long weekend, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reports that 84 per cent of this year’s traffic- related deaths with identified causal factors were preventable and the result of poor or careless driving behaviours and actions.
Very few OPP-investigated road fatalities are the result of an “accident” where no driver is at fault (e.g. collision with wildlife, driver going into medical distress).
As of July 26, 2021, 138 people have died in 131 fatal motor vehicle collisions on OPP-patrolled roads. OPP data reveals that 57 per cent of the road fatalities involved one or more of the Big 4 leading causal factors in road deaths. These are fatalities related to alcohol/drugs, speed, driver inattention, and lack of seat belt use – all senseless, preventable deaths.
Over the long weekend, OPP officers will highly visible as they patrol roadways and ensure motorists are not engaging in the same behaviours and actions that have already cost so many drivers and passengers their lives this year.
With the increased police presence, drivers are reminded to comply with Ontario’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to slow down and proceed with caution when passing an emergency vehicle or tow truck parked on the side of the highway with its lights activated. If the highway has more than one lane, drivers must move over and leave one lane between their vehicle and the parked emergency vehicle/tow truck if it can be done safely.
The OPP has laid more than 450 charges so far this year against drivers who failed to slow down and/or move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks. The law carries a $490 to $2,000 fine plus three demerit points upon conviction. Subsequent offences (within five years) carry a $1,000 to $4,000 fine, possible jail time of up to six months and possible suspension of your driver’s licence for up to two years.
The OPP is reminding all Ontarians and visitors that the key to an enjoyable long weekend is for everyone to do their part to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on roads, waterways and trails.
DRUG TRAFFICKING
(KENORA, ON) Members of the Kenora Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged a person for Drug Trafficking in Kenora.
On Wednesday July 21, 2021 at approximately 3:30 p.m. Police attempted to arrest a person for an on-going investigation. After a brief foot pursuit the person was taken into custody. Police seized Drugs, Canadian Currency and a weapon.
As a result of the investigation, a 32 year old Kenora man has been charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of Trafficking-Methamphetamine
- Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition X2
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
The accused was held for bail.
MARINE PATROL
(KENORA, ON) Members of the Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MNDMNRF); Conservation Officers were on the water this weekend checking vessels for compliance under the Canada Shipping Act and the Liquor License Act.
Members of the Kenora Detachment issued a total of 13 Provincial Offence notices. Officers issued 7 Provincial Offence Notices for having liquor in open container in other than licensed premises, residence or private place and 6 Provincial Offence Notices for operating a pleasure craft without a personal flotation device. MNRDMNRF Conservation officers issued a total of 8 Provincial Offence Notices under the Ontario Fishing Regulations.
Operating a boat while under the influence is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. You are considered to be ‘impaired’ or ‘under the influence’ if your blood alcohol level exceeds 0.08 (80 mg of alcohol per 100 mg of blood). The fines and penalties for driving a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are the same as those applicable to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Last year (2020) was a particularly tragic year, with 32 people losing their lives in OPP-investigated marine incidents. Falling overboard and capsized vessels were reported as the primary causes in 29 of the fatalities. Among those who died, 29 of them were not wearing a lifejacket or PFD. Alcohol was a factor in eight of the fatalities.
For a safe summer on the water, ALWAYS:
- Wear a Canadian-approved lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD)
- Check the weather conditions/forecast (paddlers should always stick close to shore)
- Boat/paddle sober and drug-free
- Tell people where you are going
- Be aware of the risks of cold water
- Be mindful of your vessel’s capabilities when deciding where to go boating
- Take a boating course
With the long weekend approaching the OPP is reminding boaters that when it comes to staying safe, the OPP expects no less of boaters navigating Ontario waterways than they do of motorists travelling on Ontario roads. The public is one of our most valued safety partners and it helps when people discourage family and friends from boating while impaired. If someone is about to head out in a boat and you know they are impaired, call 9-1-1. In doing so, you could be saving lives.
DRUG TRAFFICKING
(KENORA, ON) The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and Organized Crime & Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) have executed a search warrant in the 1100 block of Minto Avenue in the City of Kenora.
On Friday July 23, 2021 at 10:45 a.m. Police executed a search warrant as part of an on-going investigation into the sale of illegal drugs in the North West region. As a result, officers seized drugs with a street value of approximately $86,000 and over $5200 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
Police have charged two Kenora women, aged 34 and 40, with the following charges:
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of Trafficking-Methamphetamine X2
- Possession of a Schedule I substance-Cocaine
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
The first accused was held for bail and the second was released on a Form 10 to attend the Kenora Courthouse on August 26, 2021 to answer to the charges.
