Friday, October 2, 2009

In the past three days, the Sault Ste Marie Police Service has received three separate bear sighting calls to residential areas on Pim Street, Gladstone and Lansdowne Avenue. The bear was pushed back into the bush area when police attended and the Ministry of Natural Resources also attended in the area in attempts to trap the bear with negative results thus far.

The Sault Ste Marie Police Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources would like to remind the public of some safety tips once again regarding bears:

To reduce the chances of attracting bears, the Ministry of Natural Resources advises property owners to -
Store garbage in steel containers, or in airtight containers, inside a storage area that is not accessible to bears.
Wash garbage containers and dumpsters frequently and use disinfectant to reduce odours.
Put garbage out on the morning of garbage day, and not the night before.
Not leave pet food outdoors.
Thoroughly clean outdoor barbeque grills after use.
Fill bird feeders only during the winter months.
Not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter.
Remove fruits and nuts from trees and shrubs and pick up any on the ground
Keep meat scraps and fish parts in the freezer until garbage pick-up day.

If you spot a bear in a residential area:
Remain calm.  Often the bear is just passing through and, if it finds no food source, will simply move on.  Your residence may be located in or near the bear’s natural habitat.
If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone.  Remove people and dogs from the area.  The bear will come down and leave when it feels safe.  This is usually after dark.
Keep away from the bear, do not block its exit and warn others to keep away as well.  Bring your children and pets into the house.
If you are near a building or car, get inside it as a precaution.
If the bear was attracted to food or garbage, remove it after the bear leaves to discourage the bear from returning.
Keep dogs away from bears, as the bear may follow the dog back to its owner.
To report bear problems call the BEAR WISE telephone line at 1 866 514-2327 (1 866 514-BEAR). 
If the bear appears to be threatening, persistent, or aggressive, call the local police or 911.

If a bear approaches you:
Make yourself appear as big as possible and slowly back away, watching the bear.
Talk, sing or whistle to identify yourself as human. 
If the bear continues to approach you, be aggressive, yell and throw rocks or sticks if it is safe to do so.  Never turn and run!
Carry a noise-making device such as a whistle or air horn, and use it!
Keep backing away slowly while continuing to be aggressive towards the bear.
If you are carrying bear repellent, use it only if the bear is attacking you or is extremely close to you (make sure you are familiar with the product and how to use it beforehand).
If a bear makes contact with you, do not play dead.  Fighting back is the best chance of persuading a black bear to stop its attack.  Use a large stick, a rock or anything else that you can to deter the bear.              

To report bear sightings or learn more about bears, call the Bear Wise telephone line at 1-866-514-2327 (1-866-514-BEAR) or visit ontario.ca/bearwise.  In an immediate emergency, call your local police or 911. 


OPP CHARGE 3 WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENCES

(Orillia, ON) – Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Section (Project “P”) and the OPP Electronic Crimes Section, with officers from the Southern James Bay, Kirkland Lake and Temiskaming Detachments of the OPP, in conjunction with the Timmins Police Service and the Barrie Police Service Computer Forensic Unit, have arrested and charged 3 North-Eastern Ontario men in relation to Child Pornography Offences following the execution of 6 search warrants this week..

The offenders were identified through various means including online undercover police activities as well as information from law enforcement authorities in Boston, MA, USA. The offenders were engaged in the collection and sharing of child sexual abuse images.

Charges are as follows:

Daniel HACHE – age 54 from Moonbeam Ontario has been charged with 2 counts of possession of child pornography.

Mario CHOUINARD – age 41 from Hearst Ontario has been charged with 2 counts of possession of child pornography and 1 count of making available child pornography.

Christopher LEGAULT – age 19 from Kirkland Lake Ontario has been charged with 2 counts of possession of child pornography and 1 count of making available child pornography.

All accused are in custody and are scheduled for a bail hearing on October 2, 2009.

HACHE and CHOUINARD will make their appearance in Cochrane Provincial Court and LEGAULT will appear in Haileybury Court.

Search warrants were also executed in Timmins and Haileybury.

The investigations are continuing.