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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-01-10, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2008. PAGE 3. Ontario Provincial Police officers stopped a total of 846,440 vehicles during the annual festive season’s Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program. The annual program began Nov. 29 and ended at midnight Jan. 2. OPP and municipal police services across the province participated in the program. During that time, the OPP charged 336 people with alcohol-related Criminal Code offences, suspended 856 drivers’ licences for 12 hours and laid 3,273 additional charges under the Highway Traffic Act. During last year’s Festive Ride, the OPP stopped 811,869 vehicles and charged 339 motorists with alcohol- related Criminal Code driving offences and issued 797 12-hour licence suspensions. Three people died in collisions directly related to alcohol during the current RIDE initiative, one more than during the same period last year. Of those totals, Huron OPP officers stopped a total of 24,310 vehicles during over 150 separate RIDE checkpoints. Seven people were charged with alcohol-related Criminal Code offences. A total of 15 drivers’licences were suspended. Two people were killed in Huron County as a result of alcohol-related motor vehicle collisions. Another four collisions occurred within the county that were classified as being alcohol related. “Impaired driving continues to be the leading criminal cause of death in Canada,” OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said. “I am disappointed that a small number of people continue to drink and drive. A small number of people still believe they are immune to the law.” Overall, 449 people were killed on highways patrolled by the OPP in 2007. Of that total, 80 were alcohol related,” Fantino said. “That’s totally unacceptable.” While the festive season program is now over, motorists should remember that the OPP operates RIDE checks year-round. Happy Birthday to Marion Young who celebrates on Jan. 11. What a foggy morning! The only good thing is that the snow is disappearing. The snowmobile riders will not appreciate this but I am sure the snow will return in the future. Sideroads in the area are very slippery just like skating rinks. I hope the old saying “a winter’s fog will freeze a hog” does not come true after these mild temperatures. Most of the snowbirds who have gone south for warmer weather met up with freezing temperatures and we have the unseasonable temperature of nine above zero. Don’t forget the Legion euchre Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. January is Crime Stoppers Month. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit charitable organization owned and operated by the community in which it serves, that encourages the public to anonymously report information on crime. Police co-ordinator Shawn McFalls said, “The main goal is to reduce the level of crime wthin the community.” In Huron County a total of 255 tips were received in 2007, resulting in 24 arrests and 53 charges being laid. A total of $24,768 in stolen property was recovered and drugs totalling $31,085 were confiscated. Rewards totalled $3,200. To date there have been 3,695 tips. A total of 1,000 charges have been laid as a result and 419 arrests were made. Recovered property is valued at $687,432, while drugs were valued at $5,694,485. Rewards totalled $26,800. “The value of Crime Stoppers within the area is immeasurable,” said Huron East mayor Joe Seili in a letter of support. “We need more people to be the eyes for the police. This is the only way to stop vandalism and small thefts. It allows the police to build files on certain individuals. It allows them to try and stop reckless drivers.” North Huron reeve Neil Vincent agrees. “The Huron County Crime Stoppers provides a very beneficial service to the residents and taxpayers of Huron County. The program contributes to an increased rate of solving crimes and may be a deterrent towards crimes.” McFalls said, “Crime Stoppers is a crime prevention program that has the power to help solve any crime. A community with an effective and successful program acts as a deterrent for would-be criminals.” Crime Stoppers began in 1976 in New Mexico, when a detective was trying to solve the murder of a gas station clerk. He devised a plan to offer a cash reward to combat apathy as well as guaranteeing anonymity. A re-enactment of the crime was televised locally and within 72 the suspects were arrested. Crime Stoppers works in conjuntion with local investigative agencies and a police officer is assigned to help the civilian board of directors. Thus, when callers contact Crime Stoppers they are contacting a community program, not a police program. “Crime Stoppers allows for anonymity for anyone providing details towards solving crimes or identifying criminal activities,” said Vincent. “We need to build the confidence of the residents that they can have a place to call about things happening in their communities without the fear of repercussions,” said Seili. “This is a program that works and will work even better with all our help.” McFalls notes that a Crime Stoppers tip is not evidence and investigators must independently verify every tip before it can be acted upon. “The tip is just the starting point. People cannot be wrongly accused by way of a charge or an arrest because of a vengeful tip.” Anyone with information on criminal activity should contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. All calls are confidential. Callers never have to reveal their identity, deal directly with police or testify in court. Cash rewards of up to $2,000 are available for information that leads to an arrest or charge. McFalls said anyone interested in a presentation on how Crime Stoppers works or would like to volunteer as a member of the board can contact him at 519-527-1353. OPP Festive RIDE sees 846,440 stops Crimestoppersmonth kicks off EXTREME AUTO PARTS AND TRUCK REPAIR INC. formerly Radford Auto, Blyth Truck & Trailer Repair See Bill for all your automotive parts • Licenced Truck & Trailer Repairs • Safety Certifications See Ian for your truck repair needs Queen St., Blyth 519-523-9681 “Where Good Health Grows on Trees” 1 mile west of Blyth on Blyth Road For sale at the farm or local delivery ~ phone 519-523-9338 oooo nnnn aaaa llll llll AAAA pppp pppp llll eeee ssss 1/2 bu. No. 1 grade apples (10 varieties) $12.00 10 lb. peck $7.00 1 bu. large seconds apples $10.00 Open 9 am ’til 5 pm ~ 7 days a week at Blythe Brooke Orchards Monday ~ Closed Tuesday - Friday ~ 9:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday ~ 9 am-5 pm Luann’s Country Flowers & Gifts 50% off Christmas Giftware at both locations After hours calls welcomed. Blyth 519-523-4440 Goderich 519-440-0987 JJJJ AAAA NNNN UUUU AAAA RRRRYYYY SSSS AAAA LLLL EEEE NEWS FROM BLYTH By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk Up the ice Saturday night saw a triple-header hit the ice at Blyth’s Community Centre for Redneck hockey night in North Huron as part of North Huron Hockey Days. In the first contest of the evening the ABCDD Gals took on the NHL (North Huron Line-up). The game ended in a tie as the night gave way to Redneck-themed fun upstairs that saw over 100 people come through. (Shawn Loughlin photo) ON $5.00 THURSDAYS Drop into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $5.00 + GST (paid in advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates. The Citizen