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Senior Constable Robert LaFreniere #7333 Media Relations
Officer Peterborough County OPP 705-742-0401
Pager: 416-945-9878 bob.lafreniere@jus.gov.on.ca
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| Mental Health Act, Possession of Weapon
Dangerous to Public Peace November 18th 03 Township of North Kawartha
A 26 year old North Kawartha Township man was been held in custody following
his arrest in Apsley Over an extended period of time, the man's behaviour
has brought into question his mental stability, and generated increasing
concerns for public safety. These concerns prompted Peterborough County O.P.P.
officers to approach the man for the purpose of executing a Warrant of Apprehension
under the authority of the Mental Health Act. The man was approached in a
public place where he was openly wearing a hunting knife in a sheath. Despite
clear direction not to touch the knife, the man did so regardless. One of
the investigating officers used physical force to prevent the knife from being
removed from the sheath. As the man made a second attempt to draw the knife
from its sheath, the officers drew their firearms. The situation deescalated
when the man was physically disarmed by one of the officers and handcuffed.
He was taken to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre for a psychiatric
assessment. The man was charged with Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the
Public Peace and Breach of Probation. Break, Enter and Theft North Kawartha Nov 22nd Two reports one from Kroeler-Oliver Lane ( Chandos Lake ). Stolen were a boat and motor, a 2003 Yamaha Kodiak all terrain vehicle, an Evinrude generator, and a chainsaw. Also a cottage owner on West Eels Lake Road reported his property forcibly entered. Taken from a locked garage was a 2004 Honda all terrain vehicle, a Husquavarna chainsaw, a Markham 2400 generator and a 60 inch snow plow. The estimated value of the stolen property in excess of $20,000. Rural Agricultural Crime Team Initiative If you were driving in the Cavan - Millbrook area yesterday, Wed Jan 14, chances are you may have encountered O.P.P. officers, either at a checkpoint or during roving vehicle stops. Uniformed officers and plainclothes members assigned to the R.A.C.T. Unit, eight officers in total, commenced a four - hour initiative during the late morning in an effort dedicated to combat daytime theft and home entries. Officers focused their attention on the back roads and more isolated areas of the Township. An estimated 120 vehicles were stopped. Officers identified two male persons from the City of Kawartha Lakes. Both had criminal records for breaking into homes. Their identities were documented and they were released. Consequential to the initiative was a driver found to be driving under suspension, a driver with an open bottle of beer, and another person with a hash pipe. An impromptu initiative such as yesterday's effort is an effective tool in the fight against thefts and home entries. Such initiatives will continue as resources permit. |
R.I.D.E. STATISTICS 2003 Peterborough
County
Young's Point Road OPP investigated a single motor vehicle collision on Sat., Jan 10, just after 5:p.m. A car left the road, traveled through a ditch, and struck a hydro pole. The 66 year-old driver, from the Lakefield rea, received treatment for her minor injuries and was charged with a driving infraction under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. Around 6:15p.m., while the investigating officer was still at the scene of the accident, the officer's parked cruiser was rear-ended by a pick-up truck. Neither the officer nor the 41-year-old driver, also from the Lakefield area, was harmed. Damage to both vehicles was minor. As of Jan 11, the circumstances of the collision continue to be investigated and no charge has been laid. How to contact the Police
EMERGENCY (POLICE/FIRE/AMBULANCE) 911 OPP Communications Centre 1 (888) 310 1122 OPP from a Cell Phone *677 (Star OPP) OPP Peterborough Detachment 742-0401 The Community Policing Office in Apsley 656-4431 Keep these numbers near your phone. |
| By Neil Currie More than 20 residents served by Balmer Rd, Lake Chandos, showed up at a meeting of Township Council Tues., Dec.16th , on the understanding that Council would be discussing the closure of the Balmer Road fire station. The previous Council had voted to make the facility a "viable" fire station with improvements to bring it up to the standards of the Fire Underwriters Survey. As it turned out, the Council meeting was to hear a report from Fire Chief Buck Robertson on the Fire Underwriters Survey, among other items of a lengthy agenda, but Reeve Jim Whelan first opened the floor to questions. This reporter later interviewed Shannon Hunter, Chief Administrative Officer of the Township, and Chief Robertson. A summary of what he learned follows. Discussion first focussed on the addition of showers, a well and a septic system as required by provincial regulations for a qualified fire station. It became evident that much more equipment than this would be required, in particular a larger fire truck capable of carrying a larger supply of water. (The present truck at the station can carry enough water only for five to eight minutes of pumping.) Such a larger truck would cost about $200,000. It further became apparent that the addition of any amount of more equipment, in itself, would not qualify the station as there are virtually no fire fighters to man the equipment at this station. Chief Robertson said he has tried very hard to recruit fire fighters for all stations in the Township. When he arrived there were 38 fire fighters overall. He increased this to 56, lost 14 and again increased the number to 58. He explained that demands of training to become qualified require a heavy commitment on the part of volunteers and only one has volunteered for the Balmer Rd Station. This is because the commitment is not worth the time and effort required to qualify for a station that receives no work. |
The Balmer Road Station has never responded to a fire, in the memory of the present chief, the previous chief or any Township officials. The Balmer Road Station has been classified as a substation to #2 Station in Apsley, largely, it seems, to assist in keeping property insurance premiums down. The manpower pool for recruiting fire fighters centres on Apsley and the areas surrounding the lake, while there is almost no pool of suitable manpower available on call along the Balmer Road. A minimum of 10 fire fighters would be required at a station. This means that it is the Station in Apsley that responds to calls from the Balmer Road area. Chief Robertson reported to Council that the Township could be open to serious liability in presenting the Balmer Rd Station as representing a qualified Station if an insurance company were to refuse a claim based on the proximity of the Balmer Road Station The Chief said that as far as the Fire Underwriters Survey is concerned, the Balmer Road Station "does not exist". The station was built in its present location with private monies raised by the residents of Balmer Road area before amalgamation of Chandos and Burleigh Anstruther. Amalgamation has changed the pattern of overall coverage of and best locations of stations in North Kawartha Township. Asked if he could think of another use for the Balmer Road building, the Chief replied "yes. The fire truck that is presently stationed at the Balmer Rd. Fire Station could be used as back-up in the event of large structure fires but in this case it would likely be stationed at the Woodview Station, minutes from Viamede, Burleigh Falls and Mount Julian where there is great potential for large losses. For anyone interested in a personal aspect this reporter based on what he learned immediately wrote to his insurance company, outlined the situation and asked whether his coverage might be effected. |
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Other Pages in The Apsley Voice for February / March 2004 ...
Page 1: Kawartha Nordic Ski Club