That Moment When Rescued Eggs Start To Hatch At Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre

Many of the injured female turtles that come in to Ontario Turtle Conversation Centre in Peterborough are gravid (with eggs) so the team there is always on the watch for them. 

They also harvest deceased females' eggs, incubate them and when hatched, return the young turtles to their mother's home wetland. Pictured below on July 13th are OTCC's Margaret and Amanda who are busy planting eggs that were collected that morning.

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Toward the end of July is always exciting for the team at OTCC, as that's when many eggs start to hatch. Indeed, according to their Facebook page post OTCC has admitted 685 turtles to date, collected over 3,200 eggs and their admitted turtles continue to lay eggs on a daily basis.

Here are some of those eggs hatching the other day...

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Picture via OTCC Facebook page

Everytime you rescue an injured turtle—even one that is severely injured—and bring it to OTCC, imagine this: You might well be saving many turtle lives all at once.

For more info on OTCC, click here.

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New Bylaw Supports Smoke-Free And Vape-Free Spaces for All

Peterborough Public Health has partnered with Peterborough Police, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough Musicfest to remind people that both the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the Peterborough Smoking Bylaw prohibit smoking and vaping in area parks, playgrounds, beaches and sports fields, and at street festivals like Peterborough Pulse.

“Smoking rates continue to decline, but many people believe that smoking outdoors is harmless when in fact there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Actively enforcing the bylaw will both protect people from toxic second-hand smoke and support a reduction in smoking rates.”

New this year will be the inclusion of e-cigarettes or "vapes" in the City of Peterborough’s bylaw. City Council approved the revised bylaw on July 9th, 2018.

“We’re learning more about e-cigarettes and what’s in them,” adds Dr. Salvaterra. “Just because e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes, that doesn’t make them harmless.” A recent report, Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes, noted that e-cigarettes both contain and emit toxic substances.

Peterborough Police and Public Health Tobacco Enforcement Officers will be enforcing the rules in parks and at events this summer.

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Township Of Douro-Dummer Chief Fire Official Declares Open Air Fire Ban

With the continued dry conditions in the Township of Douro-Dummer and data supplied from the Wildland Fire Information System, the Township is enabling a fire ban through By-law 2015-05.

No open air burning will be allowed—with the exception of campgrounds as defined within the By-law. These campgrounds must meet the requirements set out in the By-law if they choose to utilize the exemption.

Another factor for enacting this fire ban is that some water sources are no longer available which could lead to shuttling water from further distances, delaying extinguishment.

“We hope that conditions change and we can all enjoy the recreational fires that memories are made from, but until that time please be responsible with all ignition sources, including cigarettes, which have already caused fires along the side of roadways,” says Fire Chief Chuck Pedersen.

Enforcement of set fires during a fire ban may result in a $500 penalty. A response to extinguish such fires can be charged at $465.42 per fire apparatus.

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Police Issue Stats On Safe Under 7 Traffic Campaign Targeting Speeding In Residential Neighbourhoods

In response to community concerns, Peterborough Police Service launched a summer traffic campaign called "Safe Under 7" for June, July and August targeting speeding in residential neighbourhoods, and the early results are in.

“The number one complaint we hear on a daily basis is about speeding in residential areas,” says Traffic Sergeant Peter Sejrup. “We have heard those complaints and are embarking on an aggressive traffic enforcement campaign that will slow down drivers and save lives,” Sejrup adds.
 
During June, the first month of the project, a total of 496 speeding tickets were issued—nearly double the number of tickets laid during the month of May Sergeant Sejrup says.

Traffic Sergeant Peter Sejrup

"The response to the campaign so far has been resoundingly positive—we appreciate the support of the community in attempting to keep their neighbourhoods safe places to live and play," Sergeant Sejrup says.

The campaign takes a zero tolerance approach to motorists driving in excess of 7 km/h over the posted speed limit in residential neighbourhoods.
 
“This number is not arbitrary—driving just 7 km/h above the posted speed limit in residential neighbourhoods can have catastrophic results,” adds Sgt. Sejrup.

Residents who wish to report traffic concerns in their neighbourhood are asked to call the Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit at 705-876-1122 ext. 289.

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Peterborough Police Service Re-assigning Four Community Services Officers To Downtown For Summer

The Peterborough Police Service is re-assigning its four Community Services Officers to the downtown area for the summer months.
 
The four officers, assigned to area schools during the school year, will be deployed to the downtown core for the months of July and August.

the four Community Services Officers will join the compliment of officers currently patrolling the downtown

GOALS OF THE TWO MONTH PROJECT
 
-> Increased presence
-> Increase in beat patrol and bicycle patrol
-> Dedicated presence (officers will not be pulled from the downtown to respond to calls for service elsewhere)
-> Complaint driven projects on a variety of challenges
-> Referrals to community members and visitors
-> Discussions with business owners and staff on what they want officers to assist them with (meaningful collaborations with outcomes)

“As a result of our constant demand for service, there are times when our downtown officers are pulled out of the area," says Deputy Chief of Police Tim Farquharson. "This project is unique in that the officers will have a dedicated presence in the downtown for the summer months and will not be sent to other calls outside of their patrol zone.”  

A report will be completed at the end of the two month project on the outcomes of the project and next steps.

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Peterborough Police & Riverview Park & Zoo Team Up To Show The Community Love For Boy After Recent Incident

You may recall the recent incident at Riverview Park & Zoo involving a boy named Logan with autism who was visiting the zoo with his family from Belleville when they were verbally accosted by a man that was apparently unhappy with Logan's behaviour.

"We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to this family and want to let them know that they are always more than welcome here at the Park and Zoo," the zoo wrote in a Facebook post, the remainder of the heartfelt entry you can read below...

Well on Monday (June 25th), the zoo showed just how welcoming they are, as they had Logan and his family (pictured below) back to the zoo for a private tour to show them what this community is really about—and how inclusive we are.

Photos of Logan and his family at the zoo courtesy Peterborough Police

Not only that but the Peterborough Police showed up to show their support for Logan...

The @RiverviewZoo did an outstanding job today making Logan & his family feel welcome and included. We were there to show Logan, who has severe autism, that #Ptbo is about inclusion and to raise awareness for @AutismONT https://t.co/tHr8Ntdouy -LG pic.twitter.com/vRP2gjv4WH

— Peterborough Police (@PtboPolice) June 25, 2018

"After we heard this story we wanted to show up to support Logan, his Mom, his sister and his Nana," Peterborough Police said on their Facebook page. "Our community is about inclusion. Everyone has a place. Everyone belongs."

Photos of Logan and his family at the zoo courtesy Peterborough Police

Logan, thanks for giving the zoo and Peterborough another chance.

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Peterborough Fire Services Experiencing High Number Of Complaints About Open Air Burning

Peterborough Fire Services is experiencing a high number of complaints from residents due to open air burning. Risk of fire spreading and health concerns are mentioned most often. Indeed, even the smell of smoke can cause breathing difficulties in adults and children.

Residents are reminded that open air burning is not permitted within the City of Peterborough. The Ontario Fire Code regulates open air burning in Ontario.

Fire bowls, fire-pit tables and barbeques that burn propane or natural gas are examples of permitted appliances as long as they are approved by the TSSA. Chimineas and other wood-burning devices are not approved appliances for open air fires.

When a complaint is received by Peterborough Fire Services, attending crews will extinguish all open air fires that are not contained in an approved appliance. Enforcement options may be taken against property owners that have open air fires.

Please spread the word on your social channels.

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Reports Of Laser Lights Being Directed Towards Aircraft In The Area

Peterborough Police have been made aware of incidents of laser lights being directed towards aircraft in the Peterborough area.

Police remind the public that pointing laser lights/bright lights at any aircraft is illegal, dangerous and irresponsible. It is also a Federal offence.

Pointing a laser at an aircraft puts the pilot, crew, passengers and people on the ground at serious risk. It can cause a major aircraft accident by:

-> distracting the pilot
-> creating glare that affects the pilot’s vision
-> temporarily blinding the pilot

Watch this PSA video posted to the Peterborough Police Facebook page to learn more...

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New “Chief Murray Rodd Award” Presented To Student At Fleming College In Police Foundations Program

Peterborough Police Service Chief of Police Murray Rodd received a great honour Tuesday evening (June 5th) at Fleming College as the Peterborough Police Services Board formally announced a new student award created in the retiring Police Chief's honour.

The “Chief Murray Rodd Award” was presented to Jesse Mitchell, a student at Fleming College in the Police Foundations program, at Sutherland Campus by Peterborough Police Services Board chairman, Bob Hall, as a surprise to Chief Rodd in recognition of his retiring year.

Left to right: Jesse Mitchell, Bob Hall, Chief Murray Rodd & Fleming President Tony Tilly

This new “Chief Murray Rodd Award” was donated by the Peterborough Police Services Board. The award will continue for three years, awarding each student recipient $500.

Chief Rodd has deep roots to Fleming, having graduated from the Law and Security program at Fleming and acted as Board Chair for the Board of Governors at Fleming College from 2007-2011.

After 35 years with the Peterborough Police Service, Chief Rodd will officially retire on June 30th after a 10 year term as Chief of Police.

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