Police briefs
(FORT FRANCES, ON) – The fluctuation in temperature and warmer weather has caused concern regarding the condition of the ice in the Rainy River District. The Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police would urges members of the public to ensure they consider proper safety precautions if they are recreating on the frozen waterways.
The Government of Ontario website reminds you that:
Uneven thickness
- remember-ice doesn’t freeze at a uniform thickness
- near-shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice farther out, especially at the start of the winter season
- check thickness regularly with a spud bar or auger as you move farther out
- ice that formed over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice
Colour
- clear blue ice is the strongest
- white or opaque ice is much weaker
- stay away from ice that looks honeycombed, common during thaws or in the spring
Driving on ice
- be careful when driving snowmobiles or vehicles over frozen lakes or rivers
- snowmobiles need at least 20 centimetres (8 inches) of clear blue ice
- light vehicles need 30 centimetres (12 inches) or more
- double the thickness if the ice is white or opaque
- heavy snow on a frozen lake or river slows down the freezing process
Before you venture out
- check ice conditions with local ice hut operators or other anglers
- let others know where you’re planning to fish and when you plan to return
- wear appropriate clothing and equipment for safety and comfort
Information on snowmobiling and ice safety can also be reviewed at www.ofsc.on.ca/safety/
Drug charges
(FORT FRANCES, ON) – On December 31, 2020 members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Rainy River District crime unit, Northwest Region Emergency Response Team (NWR ERT) and members of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence on Eighth Street East in Fort Frances.
Among the items located and seized by police were: More than 13,000 dollars in Canadian currency; and three grams of fentanyl worth $2400.00.
A 27 year old Etibicoke man is charged with: Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of property obtained by crime – under $5000.00; Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime – over $5000.00.
A 51-year-old Fort Frances man is charged with: Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; 3 counts of fail to comply with release order; Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of property obtained by crime – under $5000.00; Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime – over $5000.00.
A 30 year old Fort Frances woman is charged with: Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime – over $5000.00.
If you have any information regarding this occurrence, please contact the Fort Frances OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or crime stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Drug charges
(FORT FRANCES, ON) – Shortly after 4:00 pm On November 24, 2020 members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrolling the area of Idylwild drive in Fort Frances engaged in impaired driving investigation.
As a result of the investigation a 30 year old Winnipeg woman was charged criminally with: Impaired operation of a conveyance – drugs and alcohol.
A short time later, officer were called to a hotel room in the same area for the complaint of an unwanted person. Officers noted the presence of fentanyl in the hotel room, arrested the occupant and obtained a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant with the assistance of the Rainy River District crime unit.
Officers located and seized 4 grams of “Blue Down” fentanyl as well as more than $4000.00 in Canadian Currency.
The Winnipeg woman was charged with: Property obtained by crime – under $5000.00; and Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
A 34-year-old Winnipeg man was charged with: Property obtained by crime – under $5000.00; and Possession of Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Members of the public with information regarding the trafficking of controlled substances are asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Fatal collision
(THUNDER BAY, ON) – On December 30th, 2020 at 1:00 pm members of the Thunder Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with Superior North EMS and the Shuniah Fire & Emergency Services responded to a report of a head on collision on Hwy 11-17 in Pearl in the Township of Shuniah.
Police attended the scene and determined a tractor trailer unit had collided with a passenger vehicle. One driver was declared deceased. Several persons were transported to hospital with undetermined injuries. Hwy 11-17 was closed for several hours in order for investigators to process the scene.
The deceased has been identified as 25 year old Mandeep Singh SOHI of Brampton,Ontario.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision has been initiated by the OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Unit in conjunction with the OPP Forensic Identification Unit.
Any person who may have been in the area of Pearl on Hwy 11-17 and witnessed this collision are being asked to contact the Ontario Provincial Police at . 1-888-310-1122
The OPP are reminding drivers that with the recent drastic changes in weather conditions drivers need to adjust their driving habits to suit the environment. This may include slowing down, adjusting distance between vehicles or choosing not to travel at all.
Meth awareness
(ORILLIA, ON) – January is Crime Stoppers Month in Canada and the theme for 2021 is “Helping All Communities Stay Safe”. In support of this theme, Crime Stoppers Canada, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and police services across Canada are launching a national public awareness campaign over the next several months to help educate the public about the negative impacts of methamphetamine and how it poses a threat to the safety and well-being of our communities.
“The threat of methamphetamine production and its distribution within our communities continues to escalate. Often with ties to organized crime, this criminal activity poses a threat to our personal safety. The Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and its 87 member programs that support all communities across Canada encourage the public to report any suspicious activity to Police or to Crime Stoppers anonymously. Together we can help all communities stay safe,” said David J. Forster, President, Canadian Crime Stoppers Association.
Under the auspices of CIROC (the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime), participating police services will feature a variety of communication strategies in order to provide information on indicators of methamphetamine production and the prevalence of methamphetamine within their local communities. Police services will focus on encouraging members of the public to report suspicious activity to their local police service, or to remain anonymous and report to Crime Stoppers.
“The general public can be a powerful ally when it comes to combating organized crime. They can be our eyes and ears all across the country. Reporting suspicious activities is one way we can work together to fight the drug crisis.” – Chief Bryan Larkin, President, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
Did you know?
- Many Canadian law enforcement agencies have identified an increase in the use, trafficking, importation and production of methamphetamine.
- Methamphetamine has emerged as one of the most significant commodities within organized crime; entrenched from production, to importation and distribution.
- The production of one kilogram of methamphetamine produces about six kilograms of toxic waste. This waste is usually disposed of through illegal dumping resulting in environmental contamination and health hazards for the public.
