Saugeen Shores Police Press Releases 06Jan2014 – 12Jan2014

6 Jan 13,

The bad weather last week brought some complaints to the police office, some of which could be avoided.

While the storm was very intense most of the area provincial and county roads were closed because of drifting snow and poor visibility. Saugeen Shores public works staff did an excellent job in keeping the roads clear but at one point it was just too dangerous due to visibility to have the plows in certain areas. There was an advisory put out on the town website and the news that our roads were to be considered closed.

When the plows are pulled off the road it is bad. The best thing people can do is stay off the roads. Driving on a closed road can put you in jeopardy with your insurance company if you got into a bad accident. Another major problem if you get stuck on a road or in a ditch is that emergency personnel have to come get you putting their safety at risk. We had many calls where drivers were stuck, vehicles were abandoned or ditched on roads were could not respond to. Twice Public Works helped us out to get to stranded motorists. When it gets that bad stay home and wait it out, the sun will shine again.

We also had several complaints from people complaining about snow from neighbour’s laneways being deposited on their property. When we get the amount of snow we received in short order, it has to go somewhere. Snow cannot be deposited on the roadway as it is against the law and could cause someone to lose control of their vehicle putting you at risk civilly. Be patient and be considerate of your neighbours.

We had two separate calls of people blowing snow from their laneway and debris from the snow blower striking a passing vehicle and causing damage. This could be avoided in two ways, don’t blow snow onto the roadway and when a vehicle is passing please let is pass then continue.

We have a lot of winter left, consideration and common sense can go a long way.

9 Jan 14,

2:19 pm police responded to a motor vehicle collision at Goderich and Gustavus St Port Elgin. A vehicle was west bound on Gustavus St and turned left to go south on Goderich St and lost control sliding into a parked vehicle. Both vehicles received moderate damage. The driver of the offending vehicle was charged with Improper Left Turn.

8:54 pm police responded to a dog bite complaint in Burgoyne. An adult male was bit in the face by a dog that lived at that residence. The man received medical attention at Southampton Hospital having minor injuries. The Public Health Unit has been notified.

10 Jan 14,

A motor vehicle collision was reported to police that had occurred earlier in the week. The accident was not reported to the police at the time. If you are involved in a collision where the total damage appears to you to be over $1000 you are required by law to report the collision to police. Sometimes when it looks like it is under $1000 it is not. It does not take too much damage to get to that threshold. After the vehicles are removed and the possibility of speaking to any witnesses is gone there is very little police can do but document what you and the other driver have to say. I rarely see a time when people figure they can settle things without going through insurance and calling police and it works out. The damage estimates always come back higher that first thought. When you are in a motor vehicle collision I would advise you call police to report it right away.

3:47 pm, police received a report of snowmobiles using the Rail Trail behind Wellington St. Police did not locate the machines but are investigating. Snowmobiles are not permitted on the Rail Trail.

11 Jan 14,

Sometime between this date and the end of October someone broke into a trailer in the Southampton Trailer Park. A radio had been removed from the trailer and thrown outside damaging the unit. No theft was believed to have occurred. No suspects.

1:23 pm, police responded to a motor vehicle collision at Elgin and Wellington St Port Elgin. A vehicle was south on Wellington St and was struck by a vehicle west on Elgin St who stopped for the stop sign but proceeded before the way was safe. The driver of the offending vehicle was charged with Failing to Yield.

12 Jan 14,

12:37 am police observed a male person who appeared to be intoxicated at the Tim Horton’s in Southampton. The male was arrested for public intoxication and taken to the cells. A relative was called who came and got him.

8:03 am police received a call from concerned citizens about a few people fishing through the ice on the Saugeen River. Police responded and advised these people it was dangerous. They felt they were ok. Being on ice in our area is dangerous at the best of times. Ice in the river is very unpredictable as there is a lot of current eating away at the underside of the ice. Ice out in Lake Huron is just a dangerous and people should show extreme caution on ice.

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