Monday, July 05, 2004

ARSON AND MISCHIEF SUSPECTED IN SKIDDER FIRE

Estimated $40,000.00 Damage

(Mattawa, Ontario)
Mattawa OPP is investigating the suspicious circumstances regarding fire damage to a Skidder that was parked approximated 50 feet off the north side of ëOld Highway 17í west of Mattawa in Papineau-Cameron Township over the weekend.

Some time between 4:20 p.m. on Saturday July 3rd, 2004 and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday July 4th, 2004, someone set fire to the cab of a green 1997 Timber Jack Skidder. Wires outside of the cab were also deliberately cut. The damage to the Skidder is estimated in excess of $40,000.00. Police are continuing their investigation.

If you have any information regarding this arson, please contact the Mattawa OPP at (705)744-5503 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

NORTH BAY OPP CLUSTER CANADA DAY WEEKEND STATS

(North Bay, Ontario)
The North Bay OPP Cluster which includes North Bay, Mattawa and Powassan OPP Detachments concluded their Canada Day Weekend Traffic and Marine initiative on Sunday July 4th, 2004. The statistics from the weekend are a combined effort with the North Bay Cluster, the North Bay OPP Marine Unit, the North East Region Traffic and Marine Unit and the North East Region Snowmobile, All-terrain vehicle & Vessel Enforcement (S.A.V.E.)Team.


The traffic statistics over Canada Day and throughout the weekend:

# of Motor Vehicle Collisions(MVC): 10 - (4 involved wildlife)
# of Personal Injury MVCís: 5
# of Persons Injured 6
# of Impaired Drivers: 0
# of 12 Hour Suspensions: 6
# of Liquor Violations: 6
# of Speeders: 13
# of Seatbelt Violations: 0
# of Other Traffic Violations: 6

The Marine statistics over Canada Day and throughout the weekend:

# of Canada Shipping Act Violations: 3*
# of Impaired Vessel Operators: 0
# of Vessel Collisions: 0
# of Liquor Violations: 0

* Vessels were checked for lack of mandatory safety equipment; alcohol being consumed on board; lack of courtesy towards other boaters and cottagers i.e. Speed too fast, close proximity to shorelines and other vessels; and, violations relating to the Operator Competency Requirements.

The Summer is well on its way. The North Bay OPP want to remind area residents and visitors that, although this traffic and marine initiative was a concentrated effort for this past long weekend, this strict enforcement will continue throughout the Summer.

The Safety and Security of Ontario residents and visitors is our priority. Please continue to your efforts in being safe on our highways and waterways.