Friday, June 30, 2006

Warning To Senior Citizens

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind senior citizens in our community to be careful of those that they let into their residence.

On the 24th of June just before 10 am a young male attended at a senior citizen complex and buzzed one of the tenants. The male advised that he was an out of town relative and had dropped in for a surprise visit. The male stayed in the senior’s apartment for approximately half and hour and then left the residence. Police were notified later this week by a family member of the incident and confirmed that there were no relatives visiting from out of town.

Nothing was taken and the victim was not harmed in this incident.

The suspect is described as being a young male, slim build young looking with fair hair and a moustache. This has been the only incident of this nature reported at this time.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service suggests the following safety tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of crime:

1) Always lock your doors and don’t let people into your home unless you recognize them.

2) If you live in an apartment look through the peephole before you open the door.

3) If live in a home that has a screen door, ensure it is locked and talk to people through your screen door.

4) Before "buzzing" someone in, verify by voice or monitor that he / she is the person that you are expecting. If you're not sure, call the superintendent and don’t’ let them in.

5) When entering or leaving the building, stop being the "nice guy" by allowing unknown persons to enter through the open door. This defeats the purpose of a security building.

6) Do not advertise on the intercom that you are female or live alone. Just use your initials and last name or the word "occupied".

7) Don't get on an elevator if you are suspicious or feel uncomfortable of the other occupants. Wait for the next elevator. If you are already on the elevator and feel uncomfortable about the person getting on, then get off. Always stand near the control panel. If something goes wrong you can push the emergency alarm button and all the floor buttons.

8) Try to make a point of attending the laundry room with a friend or other tenant and only during daylight hours.

9) If you are outside in your back yard or on your patio, make sure your doors are locked and don’t keep your purse near the front door.

For further crime prevention tips contact the Community Services Section of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at 949-6300.


Three Persons Will Appear In Bail Court This Morning

1) A 43-year old male was arrested yesterday and charged with 4 counts of breach of a release order and 4 counts of breach of probation. It is alleged that the accused spoke to his ex-girlfriend on 4 occasions between the 28 and 29th of June. The accused was on a release order with conditions not to communicate with the female. It is further alleged that the male failed to notify a change of address, which was also a condition.

2) A 45-year old male was arrested just after 1 am this morning and charged with one count of assault and eight counts of probation. It is alleged that the accused assaulted his girlfriend by slapping her. The accused was on probation at the time of the offence with a number of terms. The incident took place in a downtown residence.

3) A 38-yar old male was arrested last night around suppertime and charged with one count of criminal harassment. It is alleged that between the months of May and June the accused made repeated phone calls to his ex-wife in addition to watching her residence and place of employment.

19 Year Old Hits Fire Hydrant

19-year old Patricia Swanson of 245 John Street was arrested shortly after 11:15 pm night. Officers from Patrol Services attended in the 200 block of John Street for a single motor vehicle collision. It is alleged that the accused was traveling northbound on John Street and attempted to make a three point turn on the street; however she was unable to make the turn and while reversing southbound struck a fire hydrant. Her vehicle received moderate damage. A 22-year old female passenger in the vehicle was taken by ambulance to the Sault Area Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Officers noted that Miss Swanson appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Patricia Swanson was arrested and charged with one count of impaired driving, one count of consume over the legal limit and one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm. She will appear in court on August 14th.

Impaired Driver

Just before 3 am this morning City Police received a report of a possible impaired driver in the downtown area. Officers observed the vehicle traveling westbound on Edinburgh Street in the wrong lane. Officers stopped the vehicle and observed that the female driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. It is alleged that the accused failed to provide a breath sample. 21-year old Michelle Sedore of 301-819 Trunk Road has been charged with one count of fail to provide breath sample. She will appear in court on August 14th.

Assault With A Weapon

A 16-year old youth was arrested last evening and charged with one count of assault with a weapon. It is alleged that on the 22nd of June the accused got into an argument with a male known to the accused in the hallway of a downtown apartment building. A resident of the building heard the commotion in the hallway and went to see what was happening. It is alleged that the youth threw a knife at the female resident and struck her in the foot. The victim did not receive any injuries in the incident. The accused will appear in court on August 8th.

Break & Enter

Yesterday City Police received a report of a break and enter to a home in the 200 block of Elmwood Avenue. Sometime between the 12 noon and 11:30 pm on the 29th thieves entered the home and stole jewellery and CD’s.

Message From Soo Police Services

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to see everyone have a safe long weekend. Here are some pointers to help that happen:

1) If you are going out in a boat, ensure that all passengers are wearing their life jackets.

2) Obey the rules of the road, don’t speed and wear your seatbelts.

3) If your children are swimming keep a close eye on them. If they are not swimmers ensure they are within arms reach.

4) If you are going away ensure all your windows and door are locked. Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your place. Use lights on timers and install motion sensor lights in darker areas.

5) If you are going to be celebrating this long weekend with alcoholic beverages, do not drink and drive.