WELLINGTON COUNTY – From Sept. 3 to 6, Wellington County OPP participated in the Labour Day Long Weekend Traffic Safety Initiative.
The focus of the blitz was the OPP’s “Big 4” offences: speeding/aggressive driving, impaired driving, seatbelt usage and distracted driving.
“During the course of this Traffic Safety Initiative Wellington OPP officers conducted high visibility patrols on area roadways with a specific focus on both education and enforcement,” police stated.
“Officers also conducted a number of [RIDE programs]targeting impaired driving.”
Police say that over four days local officers laid approximately 169 charges, including:
– 92 for speeding;
– 15 for failing to properly wear a sealtbelt;
– 15 for hazardous moving violations;
– nine under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act;
– six for stunt driving;
– four for distracted driving;
– one for impaired operation of a conveyance;
– three liquor violations;
– 23 other Highway Traffic Act charges; and
– one other provincial statute charge.
“Police would like to thank all the drivers who respected the rules of the road while travelling to and from their destinations this Labour Day long weekend,” stated Sgt. Darryl Porterfield of the Wellington OPP’s Traffic Management Unit.
“It is everyone’s responsibility, when operating a motor vehicle or vessel, to do so in a safe and courteous manner … students will be walking, riding their bikes, or in a school bus or vehicle – be extra cautious, don’t drive distracted and pay close attention to the road, sidewalks and crosswalks.”
Across the province, two people lost their lives in road collisions, while two others were killed in separate off-road vehicle incidents over the Labour Day long weekend.
These incidents bring the number of fatalities to 180 on OPP-patrolled roads and 15 deaths on OPP-patrolled trails.
Officers laid a total of 7,331 traffic charges over the long weekend, including:
– 4,877 for speeding;
– 259 for seatbelt non-compliance;
– 151 for stunt driving or racing;
– 100 for alcohol/drug-impaired driving;
– 75 for distracted driving; and
– 85 marine-related and 47 off-road vehicle-related charges.
“The OPP thanks all drivers and passengers who did their part to keep roads, trails and waterways safe throughout the Labour Day long weekend,” police stated.
Election sign vandalism
FERGUS – Police are now confirming what local candidates and party officials have been saying for weeks: someone or some people are deliberately damaging or removing Liberal election signs in the riding of Wellington-Halton Hills.
Wellington County OPP officials say they received a report about sign damage and theft in Fergus on Sept. 8 at about 11:50am.
“The Wellington County OPP is reminding residents that tampering with election signs in anyway is an offence under the Criminal Code and the Canada Elections Act,” police stated in a press release.
“Stealing, damaging or destroying a candidate’s sign could lead to charges of mischief and/or theft.”
Police are encouraging residents to report election sign damage and theft by calling 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips.
Break-in
CENTRE WELLINGTON – On Sept. 3 at about 9:40am Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a break and enter at an abandoned residence on the 8th Line of former Pilkington Township.
“It was reported that the suspects caused damage to the lock in order to gain access to the residence and they were still present,” police stated.
“Police attended the residence, located the suspects and took them into custody.”
Khoral Hare, 28, of Waterlo, was charged with break and enter into a dwelling and mischief under $5,000. The accused is to appear in Guelph court on Oct. 12.
Maxwell Gerald Kirkwood, 31, of North Perth, was charged with possession of break-in tools, mischief under $5,000, failing to comply with a release order and break and enter into a dwelling. He is to appear in Guelph court on Oct. 12.
Thefts from donation bins
MOUNT FOREST – On Sept. 6 at about 1:25pm Wellington County OPP received a theft report from a business on Main Street here.
“It was reported that several times over the last few months unknown suspects have damaged and entered the locked clothing donation bins and stole several items,” police stated.
“The complainant further advised that as suspects loot through the bin, they throw the remaining unwanted items on the ground which end up soiled, damaged and unsaleable.”
Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips.
Meth charge
MOUNT FOREST – On Aug. 29 at about 8:10am, Wellington County OPP officers investigated the driver of a vehicle parked at a business on Main Street here.
“While interacting with the driver, officers located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine and the individual was placed under arrest,” police stated in a press release.
Tyler James Troup, 22, of North Perth, was charged with possession of Schedule 1 substance (methamphetamine).
He is scheduled to appear in Guelph court on Oct. 1.
Prohibited driver
GUELPH-ERAMOSA – On Aug. 21 at about 11:30am Wellington County OPP officers investigated the driver of a motor vehicle on Wellington Road 124 here.
Police say the driver was prohibited from driving a motor vehicle and they were placed under arrest.
Francisco Gaspar, 38, of Kitchener, was charged with driving while prohibited.
He is to appear in Guelph court on Sept. 21.
