NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Snowmobile patrol officers from the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were out on patrol on area Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) trails and open spaces during the February 7-15, 2021 period checking riders for impairment, equipment, speed and trail passes/licencing. Officers logged 528 kilometers on their snowmobiles during their 46 hours of patrol time checking 376 riders and their machines at 8 separate trail side locations including the Penetanguishene Rotary Champlain Wendat Park. The Family Day Holiday Weekend was free of any reported incidents of snowmobile crashes nor persons going through the ice within the detachment patrol area despite the large number of hikers, skiers and snowmobilers taking advantage of the sunny winter conditions on area trails.
Officers provided education to 26 operators in the form of verbal warnings and issued 8 offence notices upon operators under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act including 1 improper muffler charge and a Liquor Licence Act charge during their patrol which included the areas of Tiny Township, Town of Midland, Present Island, Beausoleil Island, McCrae Lake, Honey Harbour, Port Severn, South Bay and Cognashene.
In an effort to increase the police presence on the larger Georgian Bay area's officers partnered up for joint patrols with members of the Parks Canada Warden Service. Snowmobile patrol officers also liaised with members of the Baxter Snowriders and Georgian Bay Snow Riders snowmobile Clubs along with the Honey Harbour Cottage patrol who applaud the officer's efforts on the trails to date.
Ice fishing huts on Penetang Bay were also checked over the weekend for compliance under the Liquor Licence Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Environmental Protection Act and other provincial acts. For more information on ice fishing rules and regulations please visit the following website - https://www.ofah.org/
Snowmobile operators are advised to check on trail conditions prior to heading out on the following internet web sites Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Mid Ontario Snowmobile Clubs .
If you have to travel out onto an ice surface always remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" and you need to be aware of current, past weather conditions and of any recent commercial ice breaking activity along with checking with area residents/riders who have "local knowledge of ice conditions". The following web sites are a must see for those who travel on ice surfaces- Cold Water Boot Camp along with https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641 If you don't know- Don't go! Is it worth the Risk to yourself and Emergency Services?
All riders are reminded that unlawfully removing trail signs can create some very dangerous situations, if you have knowledge of anyone removing OFSC trail signs please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can submit your information online at www.p3tips.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka www.crimestopperssdm.com on Twitter or Facebook.
Police remind snowmobilers that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our trails, through community partnerships we educate the public about safe driving practices - #Never Drive Impaired
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