Monday, December 15, 2008

OPP AND IBC REMIND ONTARIANS TO: Lock It or Lose It!Don’t be an easy target for car thieves!

(Blind River, Elliot Lake, Thessalon) – As people across the area flock to shopping centres and holiday parties, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) are teaming up to remind drivers to Lock It or Lose It.

“A professional can steal your vehicle in just 30 seconds – without the key,” said Inspector Ronald Faulkner, Detachment Commander of the East Algoma OPP. “The goal of the Lock It or Lose It crime prevention program is to encourage drivers to take a few simple precautions that will help protect their vehicles and contents from theft.”

During December, you may notice OPP officers and community volunteers across the province checking vehicles in mall parking lots to see if holiday shoppers are following a few simple rules: don’t leave valuables in plain view; always lock your car; protect your keys; don’t leave the engine running unattended; and don’t hide spare keys where you think thieves can’t find them (they can).

Drivers who have not followed these simple rules may find a Lock It or Lose It notice under their windshield wiper that reminds them to better secure their vehicle next time.

In 2007, 146,142 vehicles were stolen in Canada.

“Auto theft costs Canadians more than $1. billion every year,” said Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigations, IBC. “About half of all stolen vehicles are used to commit another crime or are driven – often recklessly – for simple purposes of transportation. They are also chopped for parts or exported to foreign countries. Thieves take advantage of owner negligence by grabbing the first vehicle they find that’s been left unsecured.”

The key to protecting your vehicle and its contents is in your hands. Keep yourself from becoming an easy target by properly securing your vehicle. Remember: “Lock It or Lose It!”

HIGHWAY 17 NORTH REMAINS CLOSED – ZERO VISIBILITY

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – Highway 17 North remains closed from Batchewana Bay to Wawa.

O.P.P. are reporting zero visibility as another storm front passes through.

Officer’s investigated 7 weather related motor vehicle collisions this past weekend on local area Highways.

A motor vehicle collision Saturday afternoon around 3:55 pm on Mission Road in Goulais River resulted in minor injuries to a 12 year old female passenger.

The driver of a Dodge Dakota pick up towing a trailer with 4 occupants was northbound on Mission Road when he lost control striking a hydro pole and flipping over onto its’ roof.

Fortunately all occupants were wearing their seatbelts.

O.P.P. urge all motorists to slow down and pay attention to changing road and weather conditions.

Road Closure Advisory

The Ontario Provincial Police advise the public of the following road closure.

Location: Hwy 17 from Batchewana to Wawa

Detachment area: Sault Ste Marie

Time of road closure: 05:00 hrs

Reason for the closure: Weather related

Detour: None

Estimated duration of closure: unknown

Time road reopened: (will advise )

Note: Detailed motor vehicle collision information will be provided by the detachment as it becomes available.