Tuesday, May 9, 2006

SPRING TIME IS HERE AND CYCLISTS ARE OUT!

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) East Algoma OPP Detachment Commander A/Inspector R. Faulkner would like to remind all drivers to use extreme caution as children are out on their bicycles. When driving in areas with children, slow down and watch for them.

Parents should also ensure their children are always wearing a bicycle helmet. The law states that children and youth under the age of 18 are to wear a bicycle helmet when driving a bicycle.

The fine for Failing to Wear Proper Helmet is $75.00. It’s a lot cheaper to go out and buy a helmet.

Cyclists are also reminded that a bicycle is just like a vehicle. You follow the rules of the road. Drive your bicycle on the right side of the road, use arm signals to alert traffic of your intentions and obey all traffic signs.


The OPP remains committed in ensuring the safety of all our citizens.

OPP Awareness Worshop

(Thessalon, ON) The Ontario Provincial Police in partnership with the First Nation Communities of Serpent River, Mississauga and Thessalon will host a information day at the Thessalon First Nation Community Centre today, May 8 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (45 Sugar Bush Road, Thessalon First Nation Territory).

There will be a variety of displays and information sessions that are open to all members of the community.


AGENDA


9:00 a.m. Meet and greet at Thessalon First Nation Community Hall
Smudge bowl will be on hand for any persons wishing to smudge

9:30 a.m. Opening Traditional Prayer from Elder
Opening contemporary prayer from Elder
Welcome song by Zhowskii Miingun, and the OPP Singers
09:35 a.m. Welcome from Chief David Giguere, Thessalon First Nation

09:40 a.m. Welcome from Ontario Provincial Police North East Region Commander, Inspector Al Dawson

09:45 a.m. East Algoma Detachment overview, manpower deployment, geographical boundaries, Satellite office explanation, services, etc. by East Algoma OPP Detachment Commander, Acting Inspector Ron Faulkner
Followed by questions and answers.

10:25 a.m. Break – view static displays

10:40 a.m. Criminal investigation Scenario, featuring Drama Club students from W.C. Eaket Secondary School in Blind River, and OPP officers from the East Algoma Detachment.
Followed by Questions and Answers.

11:50 a.m. Break - Song from Zhowskii Miingun.

12:00 noon Feast

12:45 p.m. Song from Zhowskii Miingun.

1:00 p.m. 10-minute information sessions by:
Sgt Brian Knowler – Youth Criminal Justice Act
Constable Mike King – court proceedings
In Service Training Unit – Use of force issues
Crime Unit – role and protocols (i.e. benchmark occurrences)
First Nations Branch – OPP Jurisdiction on First Nation Territory.

1:50 p.m. Break

2:00 p.m. Panel Discussion and Circle Sharing
2:45 p.m. Closing Remarks - Constable Todd Showan
Traveling song by Zhowskii Miingun

3:00 p.m. Close


STATIC DISPLAYS

VCARS Victims Crisis Assistance Referral Service

ERT OPP Emergency Response Team

SAVE Snowmobile, ATV, and Vessel Enforcement Team

SOCO OPP Scenes of Crime Officer

CSO OPP Community Services Officer

ART OPP Aboriginal Relations Team

First Nation Court Services Worker - Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre

Zhowskii Miingun and the OPP Aboriginal Singers

One Person Hospitalized After Crash

Garden River First Nation, Ont.,

A Bruce Mines woman was taken to Sault and Area Hospital by ambulance yesterday after a collision on the Garden River First Nation.

Yesterday at about 11:30 a.m. a mini van was westbound on Hwy 17 in Garden River. The driver was transporting a stray cat to the Humane Society in a kennel in the van. The cat got out of kennel and jumped onto the dashboard of the van. This startled the driver and she lost control of the van.

The van struck a highway sign, went into the ditch where it struck a culvert. The vehicle then became airborne over the driveway and landed on its wheels. The van continued on a short distance and struck a utility pole and came to a stop.

Seventy five year old Joanne McInnis, of Bruce Mines, was taken to Sault and Area Hospital by ambulance. She was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The Humane Society was called and advised of the situation. Representative of the Society came to the scene to care for the stray cat.

Moments Away From Disaster

Heyden, Ont.,

An engineer operating a train in Heyden had to go into an emergency stop yesterday after coming upon six (6) off road vehicles on the tracks.

At about 6:00 p.m. last night Sault Ste Marie OPP received a call from CN Police that one of their trains was in the Heyden area where the tracks run parallel to Hwy 17. The engineer suddenly came upon four ATV’s and two off road motorcycles on the tracks.
The train operator was forced to attempt to make an emergency stop because it appeared that the six operators of the off road vehicles were not aware of the train bearing down on them.

When the six drivers realized there was a train, they fled the area. Patrols of the area were made by the OPP but it appeared that they made good their escape.

Sault Ste Marie OPP would like to remind everyone that the train tracks are private property and that riding anything on the rail bed or the tracks is not only really dangerous but illegal. Stay off the tracks !!