Petes Player Apologizes For Derogatory Comments Made On Tinder, Organization Asks Public To STOP Harassing The Woman

In the wake of the social media incident that took place at the beginning of the week, Greg Betzold—backed by the Peterborough Petes organization—is urging the public to cease all negative communication with involved parties.
 
In a just released statement, Betzold—who is suspended 15 games from the organization—said the following:

“On Monday morning, an excerpt of a conversation I had on Tinder was made public. My language and attitude in that conversation were unacceptable, insulting, and I exercised poor judgment in speaking to an individual in that manner. I am truly sorry to the woman I offended, her family, my own family, the Peterborough Petes, our fans, and the Ontario Hockey League for my insensitive remarks. I am going to use this as an opportunity to reflect on how my words can affect others, and to fully appreciate the standard expected of me as a member of the Peterborough Petes.
 
The language I used is a result of an attitude and behavioral issue that I have to change. The Peterborough Petes organization has already arranged for me to receive sensitivity training, and I thank them for working with me to address my mistake. I am fully committed to learning from this situation, becoming a positive member of the community, and a positive example of how to treat others.  
 
Furthermore, I have become aware that others have contacted the woman I insulted with inappropriate and threatening remarks. I am asking those people to stop this immediately. It was my mistake to use this language, and she deserves nothing but support in this situation.”

Jim Devlin

Jim Devlin, President of the Petes Board of Directors, adds “it has come to our attention that the young lady that was the target of Greg’s communication has and continues to receive threatening and harassing messages through a variety of platforms.

The Petes are pleading with the public to refrain from making negative or unsupportive comments toward the woman or any other involved parties.”
 

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11 Essential Halloween Safety Tips From Peterborough Police

Peterborough Police want everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween! Please share these safety tips from them with children and young adults who will be trick-or-treating...
 
1. Only visit houses with the lights on
2. Never enter a stranger’s home unless with a parent or responsible adult
3. Use face paint or makeup instead of a mask, and wear costumes that are short so you don’t trip
4. Never take shortcuts through backyards, parks or laneways
5. Stay away from lit pumpkins and other potential fire hazards while in costume
6. Don’t eat any treats unless they are first checked by a parent or responsible adult
7. Carry a glow stick or flashlight, and stay alert and be aware of what is going on around you
8. Obey all traffic signs!
9. Trick-or-Treat in a group; it’s safer and more fun! Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
10. Always walk on the sidewalk and not on the street
11. Watch out for cars. It can be difficult for drivers to see you when it’s dark

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Video Of Nick Ritchie Getting Hit By Slapshot Shows How Vital Wearing A Visor Is

During last Thursday's home win against the Belleville Bulls, Peterborough Petes star forward Nick Ritchie took a slapshot to his face, knocking the visor off his helmet. He got up uninjured, but the TV Cogeco Peterborough video—which has already had almost 10,000 views on YouTube—shows just how vital the visor was in protecting Ritchie (Anaheim Ducks first-round pick) from serious injury. Watch for yourself..

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9 Things You Should Know About Smoke Alarms In Your Home

It's Fire Prevention Week, and this year's campaign is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!” Here are 9 things you should know...

1. Working smoke alarms save lives
2. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly. Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button
3. Working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half
4. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.
5. In a fire, seconds count. “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out," says Peterborough Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger.
6. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home—including the basement
7. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
8. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
9. Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
 

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week, contact Peterborough Fire Services at 705.745.3284 or visit peterboroughfireservices.ca.

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19 Essential Back To School Safety Tips For Kids, Parents & Motorists

With school starting up, Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Services encourage families to go over the following checklist to ensure everyone has a safe year...

FOR PARENTS & KIDS...

1. Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop: Choose the most direct route with the fewest street crossings and if possible, with intersections that have crossing guards.

2. Walk the route with your child beforehand: Tell him or her to stay away from parks, vacant lots and other places where there aren’t that many people around.

3. Practice, practice, practice: Kids needs to be shown, not just told, how to cross the road safely. Start practicing now how to cross the road safely.

4. Arrange for your child to have walking buddies: If possible, don’t let kids walk to school alone. Remember, at any age it’s always safer to walk with a buddy. Plan to have your child walk to school with a sibling, friend or neighbour.

5. Teach your child never to talk to strangers: Tell your children to never accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remind them that adults should only ask other adults for help, not children.

6. If your child bikes to school, make sure he or she has a helmet that meets safety standards and is fitted and secured correctly. By law, every cyclist must wear an approved helmet if they are under 18 years old.

7. NOTE: The New Active Transportation By Law states that anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when skateboarding, in-line skating or roller skating.

8. When driving kids, always deliver/pick them up as close to the school as possible. Don’t drive away until they are in the schoolyard or in the building.

9. Teach your children to arrive at the bus stop early, stay out of the street, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching the street and to watch for cars.

10. Tell your child not to bend down in front of the bus to tie their shoes or pick up objects. The driver of the bus may not be able to see them.

11. Remind your children to stay seated on the bus at all times and to keep their heads and arms inside the bus when riding.

FOR MOTORISTS...

12. Do not pass a stopped school bus: Vehicle owners can be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus. Fines range from $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points. Each subsequent offence: $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time up to six months.

13. Drivers must always stop for the bus: Whether on a city street, highway or county road, and regardless of the speed limit and the number of lanes, motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing. (The only exception: on highways separated by a median, traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop).

14. Once all passengers have boarded, the STOP arm will fold away. Do not start moving until the red lights have stopped flashing and the bus begins to move.

15. Be aware of school zone signs and reduce your speed in school zones. Always try and make eye contact with children waiting to cross the road.

16. Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding.

17. Stop when directed to do so by a crossing guard.

18. Always slow down at school drop off and pick up zones.

19.  Always follow the rules provided by your school with respect to drop off and pick up.

[tips via peterboroughpolice.com]

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