Pubdate: Wed, 05 Oct 2016
Source: Glengarry News, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Glengarry News
Contact:  http://www.glengarrynews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5539
Author: Angela Brown
Page: A1

GOING TO POT: BEWARE OF 'LARGE, GREEN PLANTS'

The public has been credited with helping Ontario Provincial Police
officers collar thieves and vandals in North Glengarry over the
Summer. Now citizens are being asked to keep an eye out for illicit
harvesters.

"It is greatly appreciated," said Sgt. Simon Hardy. "It shows how
effectively we can resolve matters when we work hand-in-hand with
communities. I would like to thank the community for that."

In addressing township council, Sgt. Hardy said police have arrested
"several local individuals" and as a result of two separate
investigations, apprehended two suspects for "numerous thefts from
motor vehicles."

Also, earlier in September police arrested two youths suspected of
defacing a local church. Police charged one with mischief and say the
problem "has been resolved."

Police also charged a man and woman who had been involved in a number
of thefts, and recovered "a large amount of property," said Sgt. Hardy.

Law officers also charged two youths and recovered property stolen
from a local business.

"It seems like a lot has gone on in the first couple of weeks, but on
the bright side we have arrested a lot of the individuals
responsible," added Sgt. Hardy.

Graffiti and "large green plants"

Following "a string of graffiti incidents" recently, "Officers
received information and are working with other agencies to try to
identify the suspects."

He added now that marijuana growers are reaping their illegal crops,
police are urging citizens to keep their eyes peeled and inform the
OPP if they see anything suspicious.

"There are more individuals out there harvesting their marijuana, so
we encourage people to look out for suspicious vehicles and/or people
with large green plants," said Sgt. Hardy.

By the numbers

For the August 1 to September 25 period, the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry
OPP detachment reported a decrease in the number of incidents officers
handled.

In North Glengarry, the OPP responded to 144 calls in August and 73 in
September. "It's good news. It's a significant decrease from 2015,"
said Sgt. Hardy.

For crimes against persons, including assaults, in September police
responded to four reports, compared to eight in August. Numbers are
about on par with 2015 figures for this period and are slightly lower
for the August to September period this year. Police responded to 12
reports in 2016 and 11 for the same period in 2015.

For property crimes, the OPP reported 23 cases for August and
September, a significant drop from the same period in 2015 when there
were 39 cases.

There were six break and enters in August and September, exactly on
par with last year's figures for the same period.

For thefts over $5,000, North Glengarry had only one report this
August, while in August 2015 there were no reports.

For thefts under $5,000, police dealt with five reports in August and
one in September, similar to the same time in 2015.

North Glengarry doesn't appear to have any issue with vehicle thefts
as there were no reports in August or September; there were two
reported in 2015 for the same time.

For mischief reports, the local OPP dealt with four reports in August
and one in September, a significant drop from 2015 when police pursued
18 reports of mischief during the same period.

The OPP reported two drug-related offences, compared to three in
2015.

Police charged one impaired driver, compared to four in
2015.

North Glengarry had three vehicle collisions each in August and
September, which is "down significantly" from 2015 for the same period.

"Some of that can be related to the focus patrols where we identify
problem areas and, either through enforcement or education, we attempt
to prevent those collisions," said Sgt. Hardy.

In September one person was injured in a vehicle collision, down from
two in 2015. In the two months, there were 70 calls for service for
incidents on Highway 417. For domestic disturbances, police dealt with
12 reports in August and four in September this year. Sgt Hardy
relates it is "fairly consistent" with last year's numbers for this
period. For mental-health related reports, the OPP responded to four
reports in August, similar to the same time last year, and one this
September, down from six reports for September 2015.
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MAP posted-by: Matt