Wednesday, May 6, 2009

DRUG WARRANT EXECUTED – ONE ARRESTED

(Thessalon First Nation, ON.) – On Tuesday, May 5th 2009 the North East Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Drug Enforcement Section - Sault Ste Marie Unit with the assistance of the OPP Thessalon Detachment, Provincial Organized Crime Enforcement Team (POCET), OPP North East Region Crime Unit and the OPP Canine Unit executed a drug Search Warrant at a residence on the Thessalon First Nations Territory.

Police located an indoor marihuana growing operation consisting of numerous marihuana plants and growing equipment. The estimated street value of the plants seized if brought to maturity is approximately $15000.00.

One person was arrested and will appear in Thessalon Court on June 25, 2009. (The name cannot be released until an “Information” is sworn to)

The investigation is continuing.

Why a Community Declares an Emergency

(Elliot Lake, Ontario) In Ontario, the Emergency Management Act enables the Head of Council to declare a state of emergency. When communities face an emergency, actual or pending, they can activate their response plan with or without declaring a state of emergency.

The benefits of a Head of Council declaring an emergency are that it:

• Gives the Head of Council exceptional powers to direct the resources, supplies and equipment of the community, and/or request mutual assistance from neighbouring communities;
• Centralizes all community co-ordination in the community Emergency Operations Centre to respond to an emergency and maintain all other essential community services;
• Establishes a business cycle for the Community Control Group;
• Ensures record management of actions taken to handle the emergency;
• Requires the delivery of emergency information to residents in a timely manner; and
• Facilitates financial assistance arrangements by the community and other levels of government, provincial and/or federal, if required.

EXPECT DELAYS – Bridge Repairs
Highway 17, Wahnapitae

(Sudbury) – Officers from the Sudbury Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, officials from the Ministry of Transportation have been working with the construction company who has been hired to repair the bridge on Highway 17 in Wahnapitae.

Construction work began yesterday, May 4, 2009 and is expected to last until October 10, 2009. During this time, traffic is reduced to one lane and motorists will experience delays. Three sets of traffic lights have been erected at this location, one on the west side and one on the east side of the bridge along with one at the intersection of Highway 537 and Highway 17.

The posted speed limit has been reduced to 60 km/hr through the construction zone. Drivers should also be aware that right turns, on the red light, onto Highway 17 eastbound from Highway 537 are NOT PERMITTED until construction is complete. The “STOP” sign has been removed and replaced with a “Do Not Turn Right On Red” sign. Drivers are reminded that speeding fines double in a construction zone when workers are present and those who turn right on the red light at Highways 537 and 17, may be charged accordingly.

To assist with the flow of traffic, crews have agreed to have a flag person present during the peak times of day, being Monday to Friday, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The MTO and OPP will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as necessary.

Drivers are asked to be patient and exercise caution when travelling through this area as repairs are necessary.