In-Car Camera System Now Equipped In Peterborough Police Cruisers

The Peterborough Police Service’s In-Car Camera System is now operational in all marked and some unmarked cruisers, announced on Monday.

Roughly 25 vehicles are currently equipped with the cameras.

An audio and video-recording device is for front-facing activity outside the vehicle and within the prisoner-control area of the rear seat according to a press release.

When the cameras are activated, 30 seconds of footage are captured beforehand to provide additional context. Audio recording is not triggered at that time.

Camera activations are either automated or manual. Once they record, officers must disclose any reason why they have deactivated the camera. They must also notify anyone if they are being recorded.

“This is important technology for your police service as it will help with transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness,” says Chief Stuart Betts. “But most importantly it’s about safety for the community and safety for officers.” 

The system also features an Automated License Plate Reader that notifies officers of drivers and/or vehicles that should not be on the road.  

“The Peterborough Police Service is committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens and have developed a series of Frequently Asked Questions,” adds Chief Betts.  “We have also developed a webpage with a feedback form. I have worked in an organization where this type of technology was used, and it proved to be invaluable as a source for capturing events that take place on our roadways. It’s hard to dispute something when it’s captured on video. In terms of accountability, I have used it to verify or refute claims of officer behaviour.”

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Knights of Columbus 45th Annual Police Appreciation Night Recognizes Heroic Citizens and Officers

The Peterborough Police Service and the Knights of Columbus Ernest J. Wolff Council 798 gathered Wednesday to present awards to citizens and officers who displayed acts of courage and commitment to the community.

photo courtesy of peterborough police service, facebook.

This year’s commendations were presented to citizens and officers for their assistance over the past three years.

Citizen Commendations:

  • Rob Reynolds

  • Matt Cooper

  • Hunter Hoey

  • Justin Schaude

  • Molly Touzel

  • Kaylynn Delong

  • Nikki Casey

  • Jeff Lustig

  • Chris Formosa

  • Amy Gosland

  • Britney Graham

  • Michelle Scheeters

  • Kelly Lahay

  • Leslie Cangas

  • Francis Joseph Edwards

  • Jake Hartjes

  • Mariah Hartjes

  • Madison Sargent

  • Natalie Jennings

  • Kelli McNamara

  • Tim McNamara

  • Star Hodge

  • Nichole Bartley

  • Timur Abdrakhmanov

Carol Winter Humanitarian Award – awarded to a member of the Police Service who has contributed to the needs of the vulnerable in our community.

  • Staff Sergeant Daniel MacLean

Robert Lewis Bursary Award – awarded to the graduating constable with the highest achievement at Ontario Police College.

  • Constable Lily Gamble (Class of 2019)

  • Constable Brandon Bigelow (Class of 2019)

  • Constable David Wickham (Class of 2020)

  • Constable Kristopher DiClemente (Class of 2021)

  • Constable Suzanne Szafran (Class of 2022)

Service Pins for Civilian Members:

  • Mary Lee – 30 years

  • Jennifer Tippin – 20 years

Knights of Columbus Meritorious Service Awards:

  • Sergeant John Townsend / Constable James McIntyre

  • Constable Robert Cowie & K9 Isaac

  • Detective Constable Brian Urquhart / Detective Constable Mark MacDonell (former)

  • Sergeant Kirk Kelly

To read about the actions of these heroic community members, visit the link.

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Peterborough Fire Services and Peterborough Police Issue Fireworks Safety Message

Residents are asked to respect their neighbours and fellow residents when using fireworks in the City of Peterborough.

file photo.

City by-laws allow for the use of family or casual fireworks in the City on private property. Fireworks cannot be discharged on City property. Larger exhibition-style fireworks displays require a permit. 

While fireworks displays may be permitted, residents who use fireworks must follow the Noise By-law and be aware of safety precautions when using fireworks. Fireworks can also disturb pets. 

Peterborough Police receive a number of complaints, mostly noise complaints, about fireworks.  Peterborough Police reminds residents to be respectful of other residents’ lawful right to enjoy their property and to be safe.

Peterborough Fire Services reminds residents that using fireworks can be dangerous, causing injury or property damage. Fire Services provides the following safety tips when using fireworks: 

  • Only adults who are aware of the hazards and have read the label should handle and discharge fireworks. 

  • Always keep a water hose or pail of water close by when discharging fireworks. 

  • Discharge fireworks well away from combustible materials like buildings, trees and dry grass. 

  • Keep onlookers a safe distance away, upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged. 

  • Do not discharge fireworks in windy conditions. 

  • Keep sparklers away from children, as they are extremely hot and pose a risk of burns and eye injuries. 

The City of Peterborough by-law regulating fireworks displays and the Noise By-law are available online at peterborough.ca/bylaws. 

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Steven Girardi Sworn In As Citizens Appointee for Peterborough Police Services Board

Steven Girardi has been sworn in as a Citizens Appointee to the Peterborough Police Services Board their newest member on Monday.

(from elft to right) stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief; Steven Girardi and Councillor Gary Baldwin during the swearing in of Girardi. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

The announcement was made on March 15 that Girardi would be joining the board.

“Mr. Girardi brings a wealth of valuable experience to the Board, both as a resident in the Peterborough community, as well as many years with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in roles ranging from teaching to principal to Superintendent of Education,” said Mary ten Doeschate, police board chair. “Steven has been an active volunteer and is currently instructing part-time in the business department at Trent University”

Girardi replaces form city councillor Bob Hall who served since mid-2015.

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Peterborough Police Provide Updates On Fatal Woodglade Boulevard Collision of Three-Year-Old Girl

The Peterborough Police Service have issued a statement on Monday regarding the ongoing investigation of a Woodglade Boulevard collision Thursday morning which resulted in the death of a three-year-old child.

photo by felicia massey.

At approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, officers were called to a motor vehicle collision on Woodglade Boulevard.

A vehicle came off the road and struck a 3-year-old girl in the driveway of the residence. The child was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and has since succumbed to those injuries. There was no one else injured in the collision.

At the scene of the accident, flowers, stuffed animals and notes have been left in memory of the young girl. Signs reading “slow down” have been placed along the Boulevard.

A GoFundMe has been set up to cover funeral costs and loss of wages for the family, and local business Hair by Fusion is using their salon as a donation drop-off location at 1625 Sherbrooke St.

The Peterborough Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to actively investigate the fatal collision. They say this is an absolutely tragic situation, and anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Staff Sergeant Dan MacLean speaks on the matter:

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Peterborough Police Seeking Information For Missing 14-Year-Boy

UPDATE: 1:35 a.m. 27/03/23

Peterborough Police Service has located 14-year-old Riley Phillips who was reported missing on Sunday afternoon.

The police declared him found shortly after midnight.

Phillips was last seen in the area of Cumberland Avenue and Hilliard Street on Saturday afternoon before being reported missing.

Peterborough Police Service has thanked the public for their assistance.

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Fill the Boot and Support Muscular Dystrophy Awareness With the Peterborough Professional Fire Fighters Association

Help Canadian Fire Fighters Fill the Boot for the 2022 fiscal year and raise critical funds and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC).

photo courtesy of stephanie page.

Fire fighters have answered MDC’s call for more than 67 years. Those who donate are making a difference for all Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders and ensuring more of these individuals can access the programs, services and supports they need.

Every year, starting usually in October, Stephanie Page of the Peterborough Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA) says boot drives, ladder sits, car pulls, car washes and all types of fundraising events are hosted to help raise funds for muscular dystrophy.

Page, who has newly taken on the donations committee role for Peterborough’s local department a few months ago, says with their raffle and the Peterborough Axe Throwing Club event from March 17, she hopes they’ll have hit over $1,000 raised.

“(I’m) in awe with how many funds firefighters have raised in the last few years,” said Page. “I’m excited to kind of take the reins on that and start it back up again, and then hopefully continue making it an annual thing.”

photo courtesy of stephanie page.

Page will soon be representing her department at a muscular dystrophy conference at the end of April.

She’ll get to network with other departments and discuss the effectiveness of their fundraising efforts, Page shares.

“I was honoured to be invited and hopefully I can gain some insight on what to do in the following years- and with more time,” Page said. “People have been really supportive, we’ve got a bunch of volunteers on the committee who try to get donations from local businesses.”

Donations for this fundraiser need to be submitted by March 30, though people can donate year round. The website is always open for donations and donating directly to the Peterborough team via the website.

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Three-Year Old Girl Dies From Woodglade Boulevard Collision

UPDATED: 3:31 p.m. 23/03/23

The Peterborough Police Service are investigating a collision on Woodglade Boulevard involving a three-year-old girl on Thursday morning. 

FIle Photo.

The collision happened around 9 a.m. between Kawartha Heights Boulevard and Sherbrooke Street. A vehicle came off the road and struck a three-year-old girl in the driveway of the residence.

The three-year-old child was transported to PRHC and died as a result of her injuries.

The Peterborough Police Service collision reconstruction unit is investigating.  

The area is expected to be closed while the investigation is underway.  

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Peterborough Police Seeking Owner of Cash Lost In the South End

Peterborough Police had a large sum of money turned in and are seeking the owner, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

The money was found in a south-end business parking lot of a business in Peterborough on Wednesday and turned into police on the same day. 

“The Service would like to be able to confirm and identify the rightful owner and return the money,” says Inspector John Lyons.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Inspector Lyons at 705-876-1122 x242.

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City of Peterborough Launches Interactive MyAddress Verification Tool

The City of Peterborough has launched an interactive online tool, myAddress Verification, to quickly verify officially recognized addresses in Peterborough announced on Tuesday.

The myAddress Verification tool was created by the City of Peterborough’s Geomatics/Mapping Division. Photo by Keegan Beekers.

The addresses are used by first responders to locate people quickly and accurately for emergency calls.

Residents can go online and use the tool to verify a property address and ensure that additional units at a single address are accounted for.

Data collected is also being provided to external service providers like 911 Emergency Services, Canada Post and Hydro One according to the City.

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