Hawkesbury Weekly Release

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK – MAKE THE RIGHT CALL

(Hawkesbury, ON) – Emergency Preparedness Week is a national awareness initiative that has taken place annually since 1996. This year the initiative runs this week, May 03rd to May 09th and is an opportunity for your family to plan and be prepared for an emergency.

Know where to call – 211

First of all, being prepared means knowing where to get important information. If a disaster strikes and you need information on how to deal with it, please call 211. The service which is in service throughout the province, can put you in contact with a multitude of services.

Calls are answered 24×7 by professional information and referral specialists who are trained to assess caller needs, and to refer callers to the most appropriate resources.

What is the difference between 211 and 911?

By now, most residents (including children) are aware that 911 is the number to call for life-threatening emergencies.

211 is the number to call for information on community-based health, social and government services. It is the number to call when you need help, but aren’t sure where to turn.

Calls are answered 24×7 by professional information and referral specialists who are trained to assess caller needs, and to refer callers to the most appropriate resources.

Often, calls are made to 911 that aren’t life-threatening emergencies. Some callers know they need help, and may not be aware of their options, so they call the number they know.

These calls, and the subsequent response from Police, Fire and Paramedics, can tie up emergency resources when support is available elsewhere.

211 can take pressure off of the 911 system by providing residents with another easy-to-remember number to call for non-urgent needs. By educating people about the 211 service, and encouraging them to make the right call, emergency resources can remain focused on emergencies.

Be mentally and physically prepared

Being prepared means being ready to cope for at least 72 hours of any emergency. There are many things that you can do to prepare your family such as:

1. Know the risks – Know the risks in the region that you live in including possible natural disasters such as tornadoes, flooding or forest fires. In addition to natural disasters, there are other risks such as power outages.

2. Make a Family Emergency Plan – Have an emergency plan so that every member of your family will know what to do and how to contact each other in an emergency situation.

3. Get an Emergency Kit – An emergency kit will contain basic supplies you will need to get by without power or tap water. This should include items such as food, water, cash, a first aid kit and a battery operated flashlight.

4. Talk to your Kids – Help your kids understand emergencies and what they can expect or do to prepare. Make sure they know where the emergency kit is.

5. Spread the Word – Share information with your family, friends and workplace so they too can be prepared in the case of an emergency.

More information can be found on the 211 website at at www.211ontario.ca

If it is a life or death emergency always call 911.

For more information visit www.GetPrepared.ca to ensure your family is prepared for an emergency.

See attached picture file

IMPAIRED DRIVERS

(Hawkesbury, ON) – In the evening of Saturday May 2nd, 2015, shortly before 9pm, Hawkesbury OPP Constable Marc Lauzon investigated a complaint of a possible impaired driver on Aberdeen street in the Town of Hawkesbury

A citizen called in to report that a beige Chevrolet Avalanche was driven erratically on Aberdeen Street.

The officer caught up with the driver who was standing beside his vehicle on Dufferin Street.

Interaction with the driver gave the officer reason to believe that the driver had consumed alcohol. Further investigation revealed that the driver had blood alcohol content over the permitted limit.

The driver was consequently arrested for driving a motor vehicle while having over 80 mgs of alcohol per 100 mgs of blood.

The vehicle was seized for 7 days and the driver’s licence was immediately suspended for 90 days.

Gérald JEAN-LOUIS (76 yrs) of Hawkesbury, was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with section 253(1)(b) – Blood Alcohol Content Exceed 80 Milligrams and section 249(1)(a) Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle

He was later released on a promise to appear in court on May 20, 2015 in L’Orignal.

(Hawkesbury, ON) – In the early morning of Sunday May 3rd, 2015, shortly before 1:30 am, Hawkesbury OPP Constable Simon Boudreau intercepted a 2001 dark blue Ford Explorer on Sinclair Street in the Town of Hawkesbury in order to check on the sobriety of the driver.

The traffic stop investigation gave the officer reason to believe that the driver had consumed alcohol. Further investigation revealed that the driver had blood alcohol content over the permitted limit.

The driver was consequently arrested for driving a motor vehicle while having over 80 mgs of alcohol per 100 mgs of blood.

During the arrest, a small amount of Marijuana was found on the driver.

Stéphane MÉNARD (41 yrs) of Hawkesbury, was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with section 253(1)(b) – Blood Alcohol Content Exceed 80 Milligrams

The driver was also charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with section 4(1) for Possession of a Schedule II substance- Cannabis Marihuana – under 30grams.

The driver had a novice driver licence. Consequently, he was charged under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act with section 44.1(3) Novice driver – B.A.C. above zero

The vehicle was seized for 7 days and the driver’s licence was immediately suspended for 90 days.

He was later released on a promise to appear in court on May 20, 2015 in L’Orignal.

(Alfred-Plantagenet, ON) – In the early morning of Sunday May 3rd, 2015, shortly before 4:30 am, Hawkesbury OPP Constables Patrick Spooner and Jean-Michel Cormier intercepted a 2013 Mazda CX5 on Lajoie Street in the village of Lefaivre.

The traffic stop gave the officers reason to believe that the driver had consumed alcohol. Further investigation revealed that the driver had blood alcohol content over the permitted limit.

The driver was consequently arrested for driving a motor vehicle while having over 80 mgs of alcohol per 100 mgs of blood.

During the investigation, an open container with an alcoholic beverage was found in the driver’s possession.

Lynne BERCIER (41 yrs) of Alfred, was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with section 253(1)(b) – Blood Alcohol Content Exceed 80 Milligrams

She was also charged under the Ontario Liquor Licence Act with section 32(1) Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor .

The vehicle was seized for 7 days and the driver’s licence was immediately suspended for 90 days.

She was later released on a promise to appear in court on May 27, 2015 in L’Orignal.

If you have information about any criminal matters, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or call the Hawkesbury O.P.P. at 613-632-2729 or 1-888-310-1122. Persons giving tips to Crime Stoppers that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call will stay anonymous and your presence won’t be needed in court. Tips can also be sent via text message and e-mail. For more information visit the National Capital Crime Stoppers’ website at www.CrimeStoppers.ca .

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.