People heading behind bars—for a good cause

The summons are out and about 50 local residents will be appearing before the judge this Friday and Saturday when Fort Frances Crime Stoppers holds its second-annual “Bail or Jail” at the Memorial Sports Centre.
“We’re definitely ready to jail some ‘bad’ people,” said Fort Frances OPP Cst. Caroline Spencer, a community services officer and Crime Stoppers liaison.
She noted several school principals are among “the accused” and encouraged students—particularly those from Fort Frances High School—to drop by and see if any faces they recognize are behind bars.
Cst. Spencer hinted FFHS principal Gord McCabe will be “safely ensconced” behind bars on Friday evening. He’s been charged with “Enthusiastically Pepping Up the Rally” contrary to the Principal’s Decorum Act.
Cst. Spencer added organizers have been busy coming up with humorous charges against “the accused,” and she’s heard some “real characters” may just show up.
These include the “Queen of Hearts” from “Alice in Wonderland,” and Laurie Walsh (playing the outlandish character “Stubby Poke”—a member of a hillbilly family first established by Fort Frances Little Theatre).
Last year, “Stubby” brought in about $1,600 in bail.
Cst. Spencer said this year’s fundraiser will be much like last year’s, which saw about 40 individuals agree to be “summoned” for a “trial” at the Memorial Sports Centre over the two days of the home and leisure show.
Those summoned were charged with various humorous “crimes” and then asked to raise a certain amount of bail. Then they appeared before one of several guest judges to have their cases heard.
If they so chose, they could go to jail (a “cell” at the arena) and try and raise even more money. About 15 people agreed to do this.
In total, “the accused” raked in about $12,500 for the local Crime Stoppers program.
Cst. Spencer acted as bailiff during the two-day event. “I had a hoot,” she remarked. “Everybody I talked to enjoyed it.”
This year’s proceeds will be split between Crime Stoppers and the local Community Policing Committee, which is planning to have a summer camp for police and children next year.
Anyone wanting to participate, or get more information, can call Cst. Spencer (274-6203) or Mike Anderson (274-0116).