HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-12, Page 24Huron OPP Inspector Dan Grantattended the March 4 meeting ofHuron County council to present hisannual report.
Grant stated while his last
presentation showed a substantial
portion of police work having been
done on major events, that was not
the case this time. “We focused on
enforcement, investigation and
prevention,” said Grant.
OPP efforts targetted reducing
collision rates and while impaired
charges increased “substantially, this
was actually not all bad news, said
Grant. “The good news is we’re
catching them. The bad is that
they’re still out there.”
Huron detachment led the Western
Region of the OPP in the number of
vehicles checked and had the highest
results in the seatbelt campaign.
Since the enactment of the street
racing legislation Huron OPP have
led detachments not along a 400-
corridor, in the number of charges
laid. To date 55 drivers have been
nabbed for going 50 kms over the
speed limit in Huron.
Grant noted however, that the
focus hasn’t been solely on traffic
and creditted the efforts of the local
OPP in the resolution of the Jesse
Imeson murder case. Imeson entered
a guilty plea and received the
maximum penalty. “I’m certain thecareful investigation and theevidence collected played asignificant role in his guilty plea,”said Grant. Snowmobile patrols have broughtsignificant results, too, he said.
“There have been no reported
collisions on trails during the
February patrols.”
More officers are being trained
to operate the snowmobiles so
there will be an increased
presence in seasons to come.
Using a graph, broken down by
municipality, Grant pointed out a
reduction over the years in arson
occurrences and a “modest”
reduction in assaults.
Impaired driving occurences, as
Grant noted before, had increased in
each municipality. “They are still out
there in substantial numbers,” he
reiterated.
Another chart showed the
instances of mischief that OPP
officers had investigated. “This
includes everything from snowballs,
to mailbox destruction to graffiti. It’s
difficult to deal with because a lot of
times it’s random, but we have seen
a slight reduction in the past year.”
Property crimes were generally
down, while there had been more
traffic complaint calls in certain
municipalities. “We certainly
encourage that.”
While vehicle collisions were up
from 1,221 in 2007 to 1,249 lastyear, what was important, said Grantis that the number of those resultingin injury or fatality was down. “Wehope to see that trend continue.”The deer situation continues to bea problem in Huron with a
significant increase in car/deer
collisions, and a much higher
number reported than in Perth
County.
Councillor Dave Johnston of
Bluewater praised Grant and his
detachment for their work. “All too
often services such as this are
criticized. They seldom receive
accolades and I’d like to present a
motion of appreciation for the OPP’s
professional and dedicated service to
this county.”
John Bezaire, councillor for
Central Huron said there had been
“noticeable improvement to the level
of service, but wondered if Grant
could offer an explanation as to why
the number of assaults were so high
in his municipality.
Grant said there were a number of
influcences, including the fact thatthe Bluewater Youth Centre was inCentral Huron. “Having said that wedo have protocol in place thatsignificantly reduces the time anofficer is there, but it still impactsyour municipality for calls for
service.”
Another influence is the fact that
Central Huron has two secondary
schools. “It’s not a simple matter
of identifying one situation,” said
Grant. “Unfortunately assault
prevention is not one of the
easiest.”
Bezaire also said he had
received complaints regarding the
speed that cruisers occasionally
travel, “sometimes without
emergency lights”, in populated
areas. “Is the OPP trying to address
this?”
Grant said it is a high priority, one
of Commissioner Julian Fantino’s
primary focuses. He said it is a trend
among younger officers so the OPP
are now having training programs at
the college.
“There are other measures that
even include specific discipline,”
said Grant.
The issue is also a focus of Grant’s
he said, adding that the next step is
to sit with each officer who has less
than five years service and “have a
conversation”.
He encouraged people who had a
complaint to take down the licence ifpossible, as well as the day and time,and contact him. “We should be ableto pinpoint exactly who the officerwas. Councillor Bert Dykstra saidCentral Huron is still struggling with
the ATV bylaw and wondered if OPP
deal with this on an as-needed basis.
Grant said there would be regular
patrols similar to snowmobiles that
will be initiated as soon as
conditions are favourable.
Councillor Ben Van Diepenbeek
of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
said he’d heard from residents of
Hwy 21, who had headed out not
knowing the road was closed and
been ticketed. While Grant said that
is the law, he also said common
sense for the officers should prevail.
He assured that he would tell his
officers to use discretion and advised
anyone with concerns to contact him
directly.
PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009.County hears drunk drivers still out there
Morris-Turnberry councillors
approved preliminary plans for
expansion of the municipal office
building at their March 3 meeting.
Darrell Weishar of Dar Cad
Designs presented his drawings to
council for renovation of the existing
building and construction of a 1,500-
square-foot addition to the front of
the building. He estimated the total
cost, including fees, at $270,000 to
$300,000.
Some of the changes are required
by new provincial accessibility
regulations which would require a
new front entrance to the building
and a new washroom with sufficient
space to meet the new standards.
The new addition would not only
meet these requirements, but move
the council chamber to the front of
the building, allowing the old
council chamber to be part of new,
reconfigured offices, including a
secure office for the chief building
official.
Council will now look for possible
grant money to complete the project.
“If there’s (grant) money out there
then now’s the time to do it,
said councillor Bill Thompson.
“We’ve already put it off twice since
I’ve been here.”
Councillor Mark Beaven agreed
that if there is infrastructure money
available, the project should go
ahead “but it’s a lot of money
otherwise.”
Councillors asked Weishar what
changes would be required to meet
the regulations if the whole project
didn’t go ahead, but Nancy Michie,
administrator clerk-treasurer
reminded council that an office was
required for the building department
that can’t be accommodated without
an addition.
Council passed a motion to accept
the predesign and proceed with final
design pending getting funding
support.
404 Queen St.,
Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St.,
Brussels
519-887-9114 The Citizen
Check out our selection of
books and DVDs
HOW TO BUILD
YOUR OWN
GREENHOUSE
Enjoy beating the
weather, working in
the warmth of your
own greenhouse
when it’s still cold
outside. 250 pages
of plans and tips for
various types of greenhouses, plus tips on
maintaining and using them. $32.95
HOW TO BUILD SMALL
BARNS AND
OUTBUILDINGS
A detailed 280-pg. guide for
building from the foundation to
the roof. Plans for various
buildings. Tips on materials, tools, techniques,
windows, doors, siding and roofing. $21.95
THE NATURALLY
CLEAN HOME
101 safe and easy
alternatives using
non-toxic cleaners.
Tips on how to clean
the kitchen, bath,
laundry, walls and
carpets. $14.95
THE NEW ONTARIO
GARDENER
There are hundreds of
gardening books but here’s one
specific to Ontario’s climate
and soil conditions. Information
on lawns, trees, shrubs, roses,
perennials, annuals, bulbs,
rock gardens, fruits and
vegetables and more. $24.95
THE PAINTED
KITCHEN
More than 60 quick
and easy ways to
transform your
kitchen cupboards
with a bold new look.
Tips on equipment,
techniques. $19.95
ROOFING, FLASHING AND
WATERPROOFING
Save money by doing your own
roofing and, more importantly,
keep your house dry in the effort
by learning tips from the editors
of Fine Homebuilding. 150 pages
of photos, instructions and
sketches to do it right. $25.95
THE GARDENER’S A-Z
GUIDE TO GROWING
ORGANIC FOOD
Information on organic growing
of vegetables, herbs, fruits and
nuts. Formulas and techniques
to control 201 pests and
diseases organically.
Information on starting with
organic methods. $29.95
TIPS FOR THE LAZY
GARDENER
Gardening can be fun but
who wants too much
garden work? Linda Tilgner
offers tips and short cuts to
reduce the back-breaking
work while keeping the
enjoyment. More than
200,000 copies have been
printed.$14.95
By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen
‘Unfortunately, assault
prevention not one of
the easiest,’ says OPP
inspector
ON $6.00 THURSDAYS
Drop into either of our offices any
Thursday with your word classified
(maximum 20 words) and pay only
$6.00 + GST (paid in advance).
That’s $1.00 off regular rates.
The Citizen
M-T council approves
preliminary design
for office renovation
By Keith Roulston
The Citizen