Monday, February 4, 2008

MANITOULIN OPP RESPOND TO MINOR SCHOOL BUS COLLISION

On Thursday 31 Jan 2008 at 8:14 am – Manitoulin OPP received a call from A.J. bus lines advising that a vehicle had just struck one of their buses with six children aboard. The collision took place on Hwy 551 near Providence Bay. Luckily it was a minor collision and there were no injuries reported in the mishap. The children were transferred to another bus and taken to school. Upon investigating the collision OPP learned that a vehicle was backing up out of a driveway when it struck the school bus. As a result of the investigation the driver of the motor vehicle that hit the bus was charged with failing to Yield from a Private Driveway under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.


CYBER BULLYING LEADS TO CRIMINAL CHARGE

On Thursday 31 Jan 2008 at 5:21 pm Manitoulin OPP responded to a complaint of threatening by way of e-mail using computers over the internet. It was learned that two students from Manitoulin Secondary School were on the website “Face book” in which one of the students received a life threatening e-mail. The student immediately reported it to parents who contacted police. After an extensive investigation which involved other students it was learned that the internet was allegedly used for cyber bullying and actual threats were being sent in an e-mail format. As a result of this investigation a 16 year young person has been charged with one count of Uttering a Threat to Cause Death or Bodily Harm under Section 264.1 of the Criminal Code of Canada. The youth is to appear in Gore Bay Youth Court to answer to the said charge. The name cannot be released as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Constable Allan Boyd Community Services Officer for the Manitoulin OPP advises that cyber bullying is taken very seriously by the OPP. If any criminal act is committed using the computer and internet and charges are warranted then they will be laid. Constable Boyd stated “what young people don’t understand that any crime that can be committed face to face also applies on a computer. Just because someone decides to write a threat in an e-mail format rather that to verbally convey it does not make any difference. It is still a threat and if the victim perceives it to be real then an offense is committed. Cyber bullying is on the increase and this is why as Community Services Officer I am in the schools teaching the children on the dangers of this type of behaviour. This is a prime example of what can happen if young people don’t take this type of behaviour seriously.”


FORMER MANITOULIN MAN RETURNED ON WARRANT

On Friday 01 Feb 2008 at 6:24 am Manitoulin OPP were contacted by York Regional Police who advised that their officers came in contact with a male who was wanted by Manitoulin OPP for Possession of Stolen property and Failing to Appear for Court. The man a former resident of Manitoulin Island who now resides in Richmond Hill, Ontario came into contact with police there. When Manitoulin OPP was contacted they were advised that we would return the man to court here. He was arrested and taken into custody. Arrangements were made to have the man returned to Manitoulin Island where he is appearing in Gore Bay Provincial Court on Monday 04 Feb 2008 to answer to the said charges.

VEHICLE ROLLOVER

Searchmont, ONT., On Friday the 1st February 2008 Ontario Provincial Police responded to a single motor vehicle rollover on Highway 556 in Searchmont.

A green 1997 Pontiac Firefly was eastbound towards Searchmont when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle spun around on the highway, hit the snow bank and ended up on its’ roof. No one was injured. A tow truck was required to remove the vehicle.


MALE CHARGED IN DOMESTIC ASSAULT

Batchewana First Nation, Ont., On Saturday February 2nd 2008 at about 1:20 am officers from the Sault Ste. Marie OPP detachment attended a home on the Batchewana First Nation.

As a result of their investigation a 41 year old male was taken into Police custody. It is alleged a confrontation took place between the accused and a woman in the home. The 41 year old male has been charged with one count of assault. He is to appear in bail court this morning.

MISSING VEHICLE LEADS TO OTHER CHARGES

Batchewana First Nation, Ont., The Batchewana First Nation Police have charged a woman after a pick up truck was reported missing.

On Saturday the 2nd of February at about 12 noon the Batchewana Police were notified of a possible stolen vehicle parked on the Territory. The investigation indicates that the truck was taken from a social function in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

As a result of this investigation 42 year old Mary Jane SUTHERLAND of 276 Dacey Road, Sault Ste. Marie has been charged under the Criminal Code with one count of Driving
While Disqualified.


JOINT SNOWMACHINES PATROLS PRODUCE MORE CHARGES

AWERES TWP., ONT., Again this weekend the OPP teamed up with the Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer on snowmachine patrols.

Yesterday officers with the OPP Traffic and Marine Unit along with the MNR patrolled trails and lakes in the Aweres Township area. Officers checked 14 machines and laid 4 charges. Three people were charged under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act and one person was charged for having too many lines under the Fisheries Act.

OPP will continue to conduct joint patrols with the MNR throughout the snowmobile season.