Peterborough County School Zones to See Increased Traffic Enforcement

As students return to classrooms, an increase in traffic enforcement in school zones is occurring throughout Peterborough County this fall.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough County.

The County reminds drivers to take extra precautions in school zones which include slowing down, planning to leave early, giving at least one metre of clearance to cyclists and stopping for school buses.

“As students return to the classroom, our roads will be shared by more cars, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “This year, Peterborough County has taken extra steps to enhance road safety features and policies for school zones on County Roads. Please drive with extra caution in all school zones by staying alert, slowing down, and stopping for buses and pedestrians. Together, we can ensure a safe and successful school year for all students.”

The OPP and Peterborough Police Service would like to remind motorists of the following:

1. You must stop for stopped school buses with lights flashing.

2. Speeding in a school zone can result in fines and demerit 
   points. Speeding in Community Safety Zones results in double the fine.

3. Crossing guards have the right to stop traffic at crosswalks – abide by their direction.

4. Motorists must wait until the crossing guard is no longer on the roadway before proceeding.

5. Drivers on multi-lane, undivided highways must stop for stopped school buses when their overhead red signal lights are flashing. This applies to both directions of traffic on roads without a median or physical barrier separating opposing lanes.

To keep school children safe, both the OPP and the Peterborough Police Service are monitoring the area and issuing tickets as required for offences in school zones and/or community safety zones.

“As the 2025–26 school year kicks off, children are full of excitement to see friends and start new adventures, while parents are juggling the return of early mornings, packed schedules, and structured routines,” said Inspector Chris Galeazza, OPP Detachment Commander. “The Peterborough County OPP reminds all drivers not to let the chaos and excitement of the season distract from the responsibility to drive safely. Stop for school buses, obey crossing guards, and stay alert for carefree children on sidewalks. Let’s make sure everyone gets where they’re going safely.”

“As another school year begins, we want it to be a safe time for students whether they are walking, cycling, or taking the bus,” Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service Chief. “We are asking motorists to please be aware of traffic calming measures and Community Safety Zones, which come with slower speeds and increased fines. Community Safety Zones are located, exclusively, in neighbourhoods where a school is located, or other location where children are present, so let that be your guide about the expected presence of children.  It’s a very exciting time of year and we ask for patience as students, crossing guards and school buses return for the school year.”

As part of the County’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP), new policies have been developed to enhance safety and consistency across school zones in Peterborough County.

These policies include:

• School Signage & Pavement Markings Policy

• Community Safety Zone Policy

The Peterborough County Engineering & Construction division reviewed 12 school zones on or adjacent to County Roads. Here's what you can now expect:

• New school pavement markings

• New radar speed signs

• Speed limit reductions

• Established Community Safety Zones where criteria was met

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Repeat Offender Known to Frequent Peterborough Wanted By Police

Ontario’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is seeking the public's help in locating federal offender Lucan Watters, who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant as a result of breaching their Statutory Release.

Photo courtesy of OPP.

He is described as:

• Caucasian Male

• 47 years of age

• 5"6' (168cm)

• 130 lbs

Watters has several tattoos throughout his body including:

• Left side of neck - wave

• Back of neck - 'FTW'

• Upper left arm - 'hard luck' with a green clover

• Upper right arm - barbed wire

• Chest - 'J.D.J.D'

• Lower back - ‘Watters’

Watters is serving a four-year, 11-month sentence for the following:

• Possession of schedule I/II substance for purposes of trafficking

• Break and enter with intent

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon in a motor vehicle

• Failure to comply with order - at large

• Failure to attend court

The offender is known to frequent Peterborough, Trent Hills, Campbellford, Norwood and Toronto.

Anyone with contact information or knowledge of this offender's whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll-free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE), Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1.

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Missing Havelock Teen Logan Tozer Found Safe After Being Missing For Over Two Weeks

After being missing since Oct. 13, the long search is over as Havelock teen Logan Tozer has been found Wednesday morning according to the Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Facebook Photo.

OPP officers found the 18-year-old in an abandoned building in Havelock at roughly 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, according to a media release.

The teen was known to have high-functioning autism. The building where he was found was a regular ‘hideout’ spot and had previously been searched regularly.

Tozer was immediately transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution.

The OPP Central Region Crime Unit is continuing the investigation with assistance from Peterborough County OPP, OPP Emergency Response Team, OPP Canine Unit members and OPP Aviation Services.

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Multiple Police Services Receive $492,000 In Ontario Government Grant To Combat and Prevent Auto Thefts

The Ontario Government has invested $492,609.94 over three years to help the Ontario Provincial Police - Central Highway Safety Division, Rama First Nations Police Services and the Peterborough Police Service to combat and prevent auto thefts, announced at the Fisher Drive carpool lot on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; OPP Inspector Chris Galeazza and OPP Staff Sargeant John Buligan at the Fisher Drive Carpool Lot. Car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023, when compared to the same period last year according to the Ontario Government. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This collaborative partnership between police services will help will give officers the tools needed to fight auto theft between Peterborough and Rama First Nations,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Car thefts within this community are happening at alarming rates and this is unacceptable. We must stay one step ahead of these thefts and this investment will assist law enforcement in getting these criminals off the street and keeping vehicles safe and secure.”

The funding is part of the provincial government’s new Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant program designed to support new and enhanced crime-fighting measures. It focuses on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement. In total, 21 police projects across the province are receiving funding for an investment of $18 million over three years in the fight against auto theft, according to a press release.

From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto thefts across the province and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone, according to the Ontario government. They also claim that car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023 compared to last year in the same timeframe.

“This investment will make a difference in combatting auto theft, and we are happy to support our law enforcement colleagues in addressing this issue,” said Chief Stuart Betts of the Peterborough Police Service. “What people don’t realize is that auto theft in itself is serious and can lead to other serious crimes in our community. We see this grant as a way to continue to ensure public safety in Peterborough and surrounding areas.”

The funding will aid the police in special training and increase public awareness.

“This will allow the policing community to work collaboratively with industry stakeholders to disrupt and suppress auto thefts,” said OPP Inspector Chris Galeazza. “The Peterborough County OPP Detachment has a close-working relationship with the Peterborough Police Service. We will work diligently to enhance our partnerships with our non-enforcement agencies and disrupt the threat posed by individuals and organized crime networks, leading to safe communities and a secure Ontario.”

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Peterborough County OPP Funded Over $60,400 to Deploy Trained Mental Health Crisis Workers From Emergency Calls

Peterborough County OPP has received $60,401.08 from the Ontario government to provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, announced at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch (CMHA) on Tuesday afternoon.

Andrew Reynolds of the CMHA (left) hs been dispatched with OPP officer Roy Maddan (right) to address mental health calls. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding goes towards the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant program that has police utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.

“Our police are increasingly confronted with the need to assist vulnerable people in a mental health crisis,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This funding will assist the Peterborough County OPP deliver appropriate services focused on de-escalation. Meeting the unique needs of an individual who is in crisis will help ensure a better outcome for everyone involved.”

Anyone calling 9-1-1 can request a mental health crisis worker and they will be accompanied by an OPP officer.

“Our unit will make our best efforts to make it out there in a timely manner and get you the help that you need,” said Roy Maddan, OPP officer.”

In 2023-24, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 39 municipal and First Nations police services, as well as Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), to help strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.

“We will be working with community partners to deliver a MCRT that will meet the unique needs of the communities,” said Mark Graham, CMHA CEO. “The team responds to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health crisis that will provide immediate support and follow-up.”

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Oshawa Couple's Viral TikTok Shows Stolen Camping Trailer Allegedly Fleeing OPP Pursuit On Hwy. 401 in Northumberland

Oshawa residents Mike Sidey and his girlfriend Elizabeth Williams were driving westbound on Hwy. 401 in Northumberland Sunday morning when they encountered an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) operation to stop a fleeing truck towing an allegedly stolen camping trailer.

mike sidey and girlfriend elizabeth williams. photo courtesy of mike sidey.

“It was definitely different that’s for sure. It was entertaining, something that you wouldn’t really see unless you were watching it on T.V. or at the movies or something like that,” said Sidey. “It was like Grand Theft Auto in real life.”

On that Sunday morning, he recalls merging onto the 401 from Trenton at the same time as the OPP officer.

“That was at 11:30 a.m. We got on the 401, we merged, (the OPP officer) drove away, no lights, no sirens, no nothing. Just doing his regular, routine patrol.”

About 3 to 5 minutes later, traffic began to slow down. Sidey noticed the officer on the side of the highway.

“I saw the OPP officer sitting on the side of the highway and standing outside his vehicle trying to flag two participants down.”

The participants, two camping trailers in the right lane, were being passed by a tractor trailer in the other lane.

As the trailers passed the officer, Sidey says the officer threw his hands in the air “in disgust.”

“That’s when the back trailer decided to cut over to the left lane, and started driving off. I slowed down and I actually looked at the people in the (vehicle). I tried to get his attention but he wouldn’t even look at us,” said Sidey.

The trailer then began swaying between both the right and left lanes, and Sidey noticed its stairs were still out.

@oneeye17 ♬ original sound - Mike Sidey

“That’s when I started (recording). I had my phone up on my dash recording, then my girlfriend took the phone to record more and put them on TikTok.”

Sidey’s video currently has over 300,000 TikTok views and over 10,000 likes.

The video shows the officer pursuing the truck towing the camping trailer in an attempt to pull the vehicle over. The trailer takes the Big Apple exit off of Hwy. 401 and into Colborne.

That trailer, according to OPP, was allegedly stolen from Northumberland.

“When we got home, around 12:30 p.m., my buddy had sent me a link saying that they were stolen trailers. I was like, what are the odds we got that on video?!”

An Ottawa man, 59, was charged with a number of offences, including flight from a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two drug charges, operating an unsafe vehicle and driving a motor vehicle while under licence suspension.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Belleville on April 24.

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OPP Seeking Information on Missing 42-Year-Old Woman

Updated at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25, 2022: Ontario Provincial Police - Central Region has confirmed Weaver’s whereabouts and is safe.

Ontario Provincial Police is looking for 42-year-old missing woman Lisa Weaver announced on Tuesday.

Lisa is described as:

• 165 cm (5’5’)

• Long brown hair, heavy build

• Brown eyes

Weaver was last seen Monday on County Road 46 in the Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen. She was wearing a blue t-shirt, orange safety jacket, black sweatpants and white running shoes according to the OPP.

Anybody with information or have had contact with Weaver is asked to call #OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

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Record Checks Can Be Obtained Online As Of June 13

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is moving record checks online as of June 13.

Stock Photo.

The online application process will allow members of the public to apply quickly, easily and securely for:

• Criminal Record Check (CRC)

• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)

• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)

• OPP Non-Parent Custody Check (LE213)

Payment will be collected electronically as part of the online application process, with results delivered directly to the applicant through a secure portal link.

The fees for record checks remain unchanged:

• Record checks: $41.00

• Fingerprints: $90.00

• Volunteer checks: free

The new process will allow those living in OPP-policed communities to submit requests for police record checks at opp.ca/recordchecks.

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OPP Handing Out Positive Tickets to Kids For Positive Community Behaviour

This summer, the Ontario Provincial Police has begun “Operation Freeze” handing kids “positive tickets” for demonstrating positive behaviour for the community announced Tuesday.

A child receiving a '“positive ticket” from a local OPP officer. Deeds such as wearing bicycle helmets, picking up trash or obeying school crossing rules will earn tickets for children. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

Kids will receive coupons for a free small “Froster” in a partnership with Circle K convenience stores.

Reasons may vary but the OPP is out looking out for the following positive behaviours:

• To recognize youth for practicing personal safety such as wearing bicycle helmets

• Doing various good deeds

• Participating in community activities

• Demonstrating community pride (eg. picking up trash)

• Deterring crime or observing school crossing rules

• As an "icebreaker" to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area

Operation Freeze and Operation Heat are campaigns in a partnership between the OPP and Circle K convenience stores. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

"This is a great initiative and allows officers the opportunity to interact with youth in a positive manner," said Terry Ward, Dufferin OPP Detachment Commander. "These interactions with police can open dialogue with the youth and leave a good lasting impression."

The OPP will run a similar campaign this winter called “Operation Heat” for a free hot beverage.

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OPP Are Responding To Numerous Calls About Snowmobiles Going Through Ice, Many Due To Impaired Driving

After another snowmobiler went through the ice on Saturday night (January 26th)—this one on Chemong Lake near Bridgenorth, and the person is facing impaired driving charges after being pulled out of the water safely by friends—OPP Central has put out a tweet to the public about snowmobile safety.

Photo graphic via OPP Central on Twitter

OPP said this in a tweet that is being widely shared: “Officers across Central Region have responded to numerous calls regarding snowmobiles that have went through the ice. #PtboOPP officers were called to Chemong Lake where a male drove in to open water and was impaired. Luckily he was not injured.”

Officers across Central Region have responded to numerous calls regarding snowmobiles that have went through the ice. #PtboOPP officers were called to Chemong Lake where a male drove in to open water and was impaired. Luckily he was not injured. #RideSober @SelwynTownship ^ja pic.twitter.com/5KJpX7Prk1

— OPP Central (@OPP_CR) January 27, 2019

OPP said in an earlier tweet that alcohol was a contributing factor in 48% of snowmobile fatalities in the province since 2008…

Alcohol was a contributing factor in 48% of #snowmobile fatalities in #Ontario since 2008. A safe ride is a risk-free ride. #DriveSober and #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/4RDQHGWw9W

— Ontario Prov Police (@OPP) January 23, 2019

OPP are now deploying aviation and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as a tool for speed enforcement, and search and rescue…

#OPP now engaging our aviation and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as an effective tool for speed enforcement, search and rescue and detecting dangerous #snowmobile operations. The only safe ride is a risk-free ride. pic.twitter.com/WZm3Az55qJ

— Interim Commissioner (@OPPCommissioner) January 21, 2019

Please spread the word about snowmobile safety and not drinking and driving.

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