Monday, February 1, 2010

A TRAIL SAFE 2010 ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND

Enforcement Statistics

This weekend, -35 weather did not deter activity on the snowmobile trails as over 2200 sleds were checked for safety and regulation compliance.

This past Saturday and Sunday, January 30-31, Ontario Provincial Police North East Region detachment snowmobile patrols were augmented with additional detachment officers, members of the OPP Snowmobile, All Terrain Vehicle and Vessel Enforcement team (SAVE), special constables of the Snowmobile Trail Officer Patrol (S.T.O.P.), Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trail ambassadors, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers as well as many Municipal and First Nation Police Service members in an all out effort to improve trail safety and encourage safe sledding behaviour through education and enforcement.

Although speeding was met with strict enforcement, police were pleased with the overall cooperation and compliance shown by sledders - only 40 Motorized Snow Vehicle Act infractions were ticketed. There were no impaired driving charges, however two Liquor Licence Act charges were laid. One sledder was found to be in position of a stolen OFSC trail pass. A single crash left one snowmobiler injured when he became disoriented in bad weather and crashed into a hydro pole guy-wire.

Proactive crime prevention was also undertaken as snowmobile patrol officers checked 124 cottages for break-ins - all were locked and secure.

The OPP will continue its winter long focus on snowmobile safety and urge all snowmachine operators to do the same by driving sober, heeding safety warnings, riding with caution and within the speed limits - at all times.

TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN DRUG CHARGES

On Friday January 29, 2010 at 3:45 pm Superior East OPP in Wawa had occasion to stop a northbound Chrysler Lebaron on Highway 17 south in Rabazo Township 10 kilometres south of Wawa. The vehicle was occupied by a male driver along with two female passengers. Subsequent investigation at the scene revealed that the three youths from SAULT STE MARIE, Ontario were in possession of approximately 12 grams of what appeared to be marihuana with a street value of $2000.00. Also located were scales and other drug related items. As a result, the three youths, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have been charged with possession of Marihuana over 3 Gms for the Purpose of Trafficking. One female youth was also charged with 2 counts of Failing to Comply with a Probation Order. They will appear in Wawa Youth Court on April 12, 2010 to answer to the charges.

THREE ADULTS CHARGED WITH DRUG OFFENCES

On Friday January 30, 2010 at 1:07 am Superior East OPP in Wawa and White River became involved in an investigation regarding Drug Trafficking on Highway 17 North near Highway 519. As a result of observations made and investigation, two vehicles were subsequently stopped in the area and suspects arrested. A quantity of cocaine with a street value of $1000.00 was seized along with a quantity of Canadian Currency. The following subjects have been charged as follows:

Dayna DESMOULIN age 23, of Pic Mobert, Ontario stands charged with ;
(1) Possession of Schedule 1 Substance – Cocaine; Controlled Drug and Substance Act.

Pierre DELGUIDICE age 53, of DUBREUILVILLE, Ontario stands charged with;
(1) Adult Trafficking Schedule 1 Substance – Cocaine; Controlled Drug and Substance Act.
(2) Possession of Property (Canadian Currency) Obtained by Crime Under $5000.00; Criminal Code of Canada.
(3) Possession of Schedule 1 Substance – Cocaine; Controlled Drug and Substance Act.

Steven PATCHESON age 56 of WHITE RIVER, Ontario stands charged with;
(1) Possession of Schedule 1 Substance – Cocaine; Controlled Drug and Substance Act.
All subjects will appear in Wawa Criminal Court on March 8, 2010 to answer to the charges.

SAULT STE. MARIE OPP TRAIL SAFE ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND

Sault Ste. Marie OPP snowmobile patrol officers accompanied by Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and S.T.O.P members were out on the trails this weekend north of Sault Ste. Marie.

OPP issued 11 Provincial Offence Notices under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act.
Charges included Driving motorized snow vehicle without a trail permit and failing to display registration numbers.

At 2:30 pm on Sunday, 31 January on an O.F.S.C trail in the Heyden area, officers were conducting checks when a lone male driver on a 2002 Polaris snow machine failed to stop for police and drove right by where the officers were stopped.

Police pursued the snow machine for a short distance and the driver pulled over.

19 year old Paul Archibald of Hiltz Road in Heyden is charged with Fail to Stop for Police, Drive motorized snow vehicle without trail permit, Fail to produce licence, and Drive with no Insurance under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act.

MSV DRIVER INJURED

Sault Ste. Marie OPP and Batchewana Fire Department responded to a snowmobile collision on Sunday afternoon at 3:15 pm in Olsen Township, 34 km northeast up the Mile 38 road on the power line trail.

27 year old Skye Chyc of Sault Ste. Marie received non-life-threatening injuries when the Bombardier Skidoo he was driving hit a guide wire that was holding up a pole. His view was obscured by blowing snow. He was alone on his sled. His travelling companions called for help from a satellite phone that they had with them.

Chyc was transferred by ambulance to Sault Area Hospital. He was wearing his helmet, no alcohol was involved and no charges will be laid.


ICE HUT STOLEN

An ice hut was stolen from the St. Mary’s River at the end of Leigh’s Bay Road sometime within the last week.

The hut was located approximately 10 feet from shore. The hut was 7ft long by 4 ft wide with a partially domed roof made from plywood. It is black on the outside and red and white on the inside with a metal towing bar. It has a registration number from the MNR on it #SS503.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

SAULT STE. MARIE OPP TRAIL SAFE ENFORCEMENT WEEKEND

Sault Ste. Marie OPP Snowmobile patrol officers accompanied by Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and S.T.O.P members were out on the trails this weekend.

OPP issued 11 Provincial Offence Notices under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act, one summons for Failing to Stop for Police, and 23 warnings. Police also investigated one MSV collision.