By Staff
March 7, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
A company engaged in garbage removal and hauling, and a supervisor have been found guilty of failing to ensure the safety of a worker who fell off a roof. The company was fined $75,000 and the supervisor has been sentenced to 45 days in jail. A company representative has also been fined $2,000 for obstructing a Ministry of Labour investigation.
The incidence took place in October of 2008, when workers were sent to an address to remove shingles from a one-storey bungalow. One of the workers was tossing loose shingles from the roof toward a bin and stepped back, then slipped. The worker rolled off the roof of the house and landed on a walkway. The injury resulted in permanent paralysis of the lower body. A Ministry of Labour investigation followed the incident.
No safety harness for these workers. You can get sent to jail for that in Ontario.
The injured worker testified to not being trained in the use of fall protection equipment, nor was any such equipment provided in the company-supplied truck used for transportation to and from the job site. As well, the worker indicated that the practice for payment for work was cash and that work was provided on an on-call basis. The worker identified J.R. Contracting Property Services as the employer and Teisha (Tina) Lootawan as the supervisor.
The court determined that the worker was an employee under the definition of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), and that J.R. Contracting Property Services was the employer. The court also determined that Lootawan was a supervisor under the OHSA. As such, she failed as a supervisor to ensure that a worker wore protective devices as required by law, and failed as a supervisor to take the reasonable precaution of ensuring that an adequate form of fall protection was provided where a worker is exposed to a fall hazard of more than three metres.
As the Ministry of Labour investigation proceeded, the company was requested to provide documentation that included employment and telephone records. A company representative, Andrew Joshua Haniff – who accepted the call from the Meadowvale Road homeowner requesting the company’s services – attended a meeting on December 23, 2008, but refused to answer any of the inspector’s questions. He was convicted by the court of obstructing an inspector.
The jail sentence and fines were imposed by Justice of the Peace Mary A. Ross Hendriks. The court heard seven days of testimony over 2011 and 2012; judgment was passed April 18, 2013.
The investigation, the court case and the decision point to the responsibility corporations and their senior staff have for the safety of their workers.
By Pepper Parr
March 5, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It is hard to be plain old basic police work. Halton regional Police clearly know that if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck then it is probably a duck.
Back in August 2013, there were a number of daytime residential break and taking place in the City.
Police identified a suspect responsible for the entries however he avoided capture by fleeing to another Province.
Then there were a series of similar entries in January 2014: members of the Halton Regional Police – 3 District C.I.B.- Residential Crime Team figured this one out real quick. He’s back they said to each other and quickly arrested the suspect who was now back in Ontario.
Investigators confirmed the suspect had returned to Ontario and during the evening of March 4th 2014, the suspect was located at a London area hotel where he was arrested along with a female acquaintance who had been assisting the suspect in his efforts to evade arrest.
John Stewart MACKINNON (40 yrs) (Held for Bail)
- Break, Enter & Theft (Three Counts)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Shannon Lee Margaret CAIN (32 yrs) of Sann Rd. in Beamsville (Released on a Promise to Appear in Milton Court on April 2nd 2014)
A sense of satisfaction prevailed at 3 District C.I.B.- Residential Crime Team room on Southampton Drive. They got another one.
Anyone with information to assist in the above investigation can contact Det. Bale – 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at (905)825-4747 ext. 2312
Police also remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal activity at 1 800 222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).
For additional information about community concerns in Burlington, follow us on Twitter @HRPSBurl or for the latest crime data, news releases and general information, visit the Service’s website www.haltonpolice.ca
By Staff
March 4, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
What is believed to be a black Dodge Ram 1500 struck a pedestrian crossing Brant St near Birch Ave in downtown Burlington. The victim suffered facial fractures.
The driver of the vehicle was described by witnesses as a white male, 30-40 years of age wearing a suit. There were possibly two other people in the suspect vehicle. No licence plate was obtained and the extent of the damage to the truck is unknown.
The incident took place at about 2:55am. The Halton Regional Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of a hit and run vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Halton Police at 905-825-4747 ext 2305 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477)
By Staff
March 4, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
On Monday March 3rd, 2014, shortly after 2:30pm, Halton Regional Police were requested to attend and assist with an investigation involving a School Bus and a pedestrian in The City of Burlington.
This is going to get messy – there aren’t that many school bus companies around.
A 64-year-old female pedestrian, was observed walking south on Dynes Road at Woodward Avenue. As she was crossing at that intersection, she was struck by what witnesses described as a short school bus. The bus failed to remain at the scene, leaving the injured pedestrian in the traveled portion of the roadway. The pedestrian was transported to hospital with life threatening injuries.
Halton Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit attended and assumed control of this investigation. Any persons that may have witnessed the victim in the area of the incident prior to the collision, or the collision itself, are asked to contact Halton Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Detective Constable Chris Heffernan at 905-825-4747 ext. 5420
By Staff
February 24, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Very early this morning I Halton Regional Police, Burlington Strategic Support Team (SST), concluded a drug trafficking investigation that resulted in five arrests and the execution of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a Burlington residence.
Seized as a result of the Investigation:
• $14,800.00 in cash
• 720 grams of marihuana (approximately 25.40 ounces/ 1.58 pounds),
• 10 grams of Cocaine,
• 20 grams of hashish
• 6 ecstasy pills
The drugs have an estimated street value of over $53,000.00.
The following persons have been charged:
Christopher JONES (29 yrs) of Ghent Avenue in Burlington (Held for Bail)
• Trafficking in a controlled substance (marihuana)
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)( for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Breach of Probation
Minhea KANG (35 yrs) of Ghent Avenue in Burlington (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on March 18th 2014)
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
Alexander MORRIS (24 yrs) of Brock Avenue in Burlington (Held for Bail)
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (hashish) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (Ecstasy)
David VEINO (22 yrs) of Cavendish Drive in Burlington (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on March 25th 2014)
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (hashish) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (Ecstasy)
Alexander KELLAR (23 yrs) of Mount Royal Avenue in Burlington (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on March 25th 2014)
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (hashish) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (Ecstasy)
Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug, gun or gang activity at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes)
This was not a small drug operation.
By Staff
February 24, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It went on for quite a while – between December 2013 and February 2014, but the Regional police were able to apprehend and charge a Hamilton resident for inappropriate touching.
The accused person had been going to the Silver City Cineplex Cinema located at 1250 Brant Street in Burlington where he engaged in inappropriate and unwanted contact with at least three different women. These incidents were later reported to Police.
The accused has been arrested and charged with the following offenses:
ACCUSED:
William DEJONG, 56, of Hamilton Ontario is charged with:
Mischief – Interfere with person in lawful use, enjoyment of property (three counts)
The Halton Regional Police Service believe that Mr. DeJong may have had similar contact with additional women at this theatre during this time period and urge victims to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at (905) 825-4747 extension 2316.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Pepper Parr
February 19, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
There was just the one delegation at city council last night – had to do with the re-naming of Southampton Boulevard to Constable Henshaw Boulevard
Ben Carman asked Council to name some other city asset after the long serving police officer who died in 2010 of natural causes while on duty.
Councillor Lancaster took exception to some of the comments made by Carman and asked if she had not call the Carman residence on three occasions. She had indeed replied Ben Carman – the calls came after a recommendation had been made by the Standing committee. Carman had expected to be able to speak to his council member before the recommendation was made. He isn’t the first person to complain about the level of access to the ward 6 member of council.
What was Southampton will become Constable Henshaw Boulevard. Council didn’t get to hear why the residents really didn’t want the name change.
Lancaster, who has had problems with constituents groups in the past, appears to be upping her game now that we are in an election year and stressing that she does get back to people. It should be noted though that Lancaster has yet to file her nomination papers, although she has said publicly that she intends to run again for the ward 6 seat which includes the Headon Forest community that Southampton.
It was difficult to fully understand what the opposition within the Headon Forest community was with the renaming of the street. Ben Carman and his wife Susan talked after the council meeting about the difficulty they and their neighbours have had with the administration at the Southampton police station.
There was a time said Carman when the relationship with the police detachment was very good but it has deteriorated. By way of example he commented on the use of heavy equipment to move snow around the police parking lot – at 11:30 at night. When calls were made to complain about the noise Carman felt he was treated poorly and being told that the police can do what they want and don’t have to comply with noise bylaws didn’t do much for his view of the way police and community should be working together.
It would appear that the Headon Forest community haven’t taken to the idea of renaming Southampton after a police officer because the relationship with the detachment isn’t all that good to begin with. Sounds as if there is a little too much arrogance within the detachment.
During his delegation Carman made no comment on the apparent friction between the police detachment that is on Southampton and the community. But that appears to be what the problem really is. Lancaster of course knew nothing of this – because she didn’t succeed in getting back to the resident before the discussion on the issue took place at the Standing committee.
Councillor Craven, who represents the city on the Police Services Board might want to give Ben and Susan Carman a call and learn a little bit more about a community that appears to have a problem with its local police.
Lancaster will have a problem with Craven crossing into her ward – tough – this is an issue that needs attention.
Background links:
Residents don’t support street name change.
Council goes with what the police association members want.
Lancaster and communications skills.
By Pepper Parr
February 1, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
In April 2013 Burlington resident Denise Davy spoke as a delegation at the city’s Community Services Committee, urging the city to take responsibility for the safety of pedestrians at railway crossings. City Council directed staff to consult with community stakeholders to research rail safety.
This was the situation in Burlington before Denise Davey delegated to city council for a change.
A rail line safety and awareness stakeholder committee was formed to bring the various groups together to review the issue and develop strategies to prevent rail line deaths. The committee included representatives fromGO Transit, CN, VIA Rail, CP, COAST, ROCK, Canadian Mental Health Association, theNorth Halton Mental Health Clinic, Halton Police, Region of Halton Public Works, Transport Canada and theTransportation Safety Board. The review resulted in a number of short-term strategies and long-term opportunities.
Today there is appropriate fencing and protocols in place to ensure that the city tells the GO people and other authorities that the fence has been breached.
It was not quite this easy when Denise Davey first took on the task of making the railway tracks safer by blocking crossing that were not properly secured. Davey’s son, Ryan, was 18 when he was killed by a train in March of 1998. Here is how she tells her story:
“Many more people have been killed by trains going through Halton since then and the numbers over the last year have increased at an alarming rate. In a six-month period, from August 2012 to February 2013, six people were killed, including a 23-year-old Hamilton man.
“That’s a huge increase from previous years and it speaks to the need for better safety measures to prevent further deaths. The area of major concern is along Fairview and Cumberland where many people have been killed by trains.
“It’s wide open and also extremely close to one of the busiest shopping plazas in Burlington. Although there are “Danger” signs posted, the well-worn footpath is a testament to how few people heed them. The same problem exists with the tracks that run between Appleby Line and Burloak, by Sherwood Forest Park.
“Not only are there openings in the fence by the park, but in many areas the bottom part of the fence has been pulled up where people have obviously crawled under. Finding out who is responsible for safety along the tracks was so difficult, however, that even after several calls to rail officials, I’m not completely clear on it.
“Indeed, it seemed even rail officials weren’t clear on it. Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board were quick to deflect all blame for any deaths or injuries and talk about the public’s responsibility.
“And there is truth in that. The public needs to be responsible around the tracks. But at some point, the people who run the trains also need to take some responsibility. I can think of several stories I’ve covered as a reporter in which a person was killed crossing the street illegally but a stoplight was later put in place to prevent further deaths or injuries.
“Not only are rail officials quick to deflect blame, they’re tight-lipped when it comes to statistics on train-related fatalities and injuries. After several calls to the GO media folks I was told they don’t have statistics on the number of people who have been killed by GO trains along the Halton tracks.
“How can it be?” I asked the GO spokesperson, “You’re telling me that you don’t know how many people have been killed by the service you run?” I was quickly put on hold then told I needed to talk to someone else. I never got the number from GO.
“I was eventually told by Halton police (who told me earlier they didn’t have the numbers) that five of the six recent deaths in Halton were a result of GO trains.
“I will be talking to members of Burlington city council about changes I think need to be made to areas along the tracks. They include fencing, surveillance cameras, motion sensitive lighting and noise barriers, the same type you see along the QEW in Grimsby.
“I figure if they’re deemed important enough to buffer noise for residents who live close to the highway, they should be considered important enough to save a life.”
Will the sign make a difference? If it doesn’t – well we tried. But if it does – that is a victory. Denise Davey deserves great credit for her efforts. Keep her in mind when it comes to selecting Burlington`s Best.
It was an uphill fight for a long period of time but at a city council meeting in January Bruce Zvaniga, director of transportation services said: “The various stakeholders came to the table prepared to discuss and make changes,” said Zvaniga, and “I would like to thank them for their responsiveness, action and commitment to safety.”
The committee has already put in place a number of short-term strategies, including:
A communication protocol where city staff share information with rail operators regarding fence damage and footpaths near the rail line. Rail operators are also to share information with roads and parks maintenance staff regarding fence damage on city-owned properties
Rail operator “high rail” reviews that exchange information about identified outcomes
City fencing improvements in five different locations where chain fences will be installed
Rail line safety and awareness in 11 public schools and seven catholic schools as part of the schools’ safety awareness programs and under the leadership of Operation Lifesaver
Site specific strategies have been implemented by GO Transit and the Canadian Mental Health Association
“I am very proud of the work done by the stakeholder committee,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “ The committee has created a set of best practices for the entire country. If what we have set in motion can save one life, than it has well be worth it.”
An annual stakeholder review process is now in place. The stakeholder group will meet each year to look at the outcomes of previous strategies, identify possible new strategies and discuss long-term opportunities. In 2014, the committee will invite the Catholic and public school boards to participate.
Somewhere along the way the woman who had lost a child to a rail line accident got forgotten as all the bureaucrats who should have been on top of this issue from the beginning did nothing until Denise Davey delegated.
The power of one person with a voice and the courage of their convictions is immense and magnificent.
Background links:
City staff directed to start asking questions.
Three deaths in seven months.
Parent wants better rail line safety – death level intolerable.
By Staff
January 28, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The police are moving up the food chain. Last week a number of high school students were arrested and charged as Young Offenders.
On Tuesday, the Drug, Gun and Gang Unit executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a Burlington residence where a large quantity of drugs and cash was seized:
80.9 grams of cocaine
242 pills of MDMA (Ecstasy)
2.6 grams of MDMA (Ecstasy
33.1 grams of Crystalized Methamphetamine
40 mL of GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid)
269.3 grams of Dextrose (Cutting Agent)
Packaging material
Digital Scales
$8,830.00 Currency
3 Cellular phones
Police charged Stephen LANE (38 years of age) with the following offences and held him for a bail hearing.
1. Trafficking a Controlled Substance – Cocaine
2. Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
3. Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – MDMA
4. Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Crystal Methamphetamine
5. Possession of a Controlled Substance – GHB
By Staff
January 28, 2014
BURLINGTON. ON.
Between Jan 14 – 21, 2014, the Halton Regional Police Service conducted an organized high school drug initiative in the City of Burlington, named Project Impact.
Officers from the Burlington Strategic Support Team, High School Liaison, uniform patrol and the Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang unit worked in partnership to crackdown on drug trafficking in and around Burlington Catholic and Public high schools.
As a result of the investigation, quantities of marihuana, cocaine, oxycontin powder and pills, and clonazepam with a combined estimated street value of $6010.00 were seized.
As part of the investigation, officers also executed seven Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrants on six residences and one vehicle throughout the City of Burlington.
Investigators arrested 27 people in connection with the investigation, with 22 of those being young offenders. A total of 27 criminal charges were laid. Six of the young offenders were forwarded to our Diversion program, Youth Drug Awareness Program, which is an opportunity for first time young offenders to re-evaluate the path they have chosen and provide these youth with a second chance at making the right decision.
Three adults were also charged in connection with the investigation:
Travis ARSENEAULT, 18, of Burlington, is charged with Trafficking, Possession for Purpose x 2, Possession and Breach.
John ARSENEAULT, 47, of Burlington is charged with Possession.
Ryan BLAINEY, 18, of Burlington is charged with Possession and Possession for Purpose x 2.
“Project Impact was a well-organized, team oriented proactive initiative that served not only as an enforcement blitz but an educational opportunity for students, school officials and the community as a whole,” said Superintendent Al Albano of 3 District.
“Parents need to be aware that there are drugs in all high schools, so we encourage them to be aware of what their children are doing, and ask appropriate questions. Be it a parent, a teacher, a sibling, or a friend, we can all help to stop the distribution and use of drugs in our youth community before they make lasting life decisions,” said Supt. Albano.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 24, 2014
On Wednesday and Thursday of this week the Police Service Human Trafficking and Vice Unit participated in a National initiative to identify victims of human trafficking and to provide information and support to those working in the sex trade industry.
Through investigative means, during the two-day blitz, police officers identified and met with over 20 sex trade workers operating in local hotels.
There are a lot of people who will be stunned when they learn there are that many sex trade workers in the city.
During the course of one of these meetings investigators identified a victim being exploited to participate in the sex trade industry at a hotel in the City of Burlington. The Halton Regional Police Service laid human trafficking charges against a 22-year-old woman and rescued a 15-year-old victim as a result of the human trafficking awareness initiative.
The accused, a 22-year-old female was exercising control over the 15-year-old victim and facilitating her exploitation. Police apprehended and rescued the victim and have subsequently brought her to a place of safety.
Amie McIntyre (22 years of age) of Angus, Ontario is charged with the following offences:
Trafficking of a person under the age of 18.
Procuring a person to become a prostitute.
Exercise and control a person to engage in prostitution.
Living off the avails of person under the age of 18.
McIntyre has been remanded into custody until January 27th, 2013.
The Halton Regional Police Service are informing workers in the sex trade industry that Police Services and local organizations such as “Walk with Me” and Chrysalis (Click on the links) exist to provide first response care and support to victims of human trafficking.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON
January 23, 2014
The email said:
Your credit card has been successfully processed.
FLIGHT NUMBER DT7928115008US
ELECTRONIC 7841615249
DATE & TIME / JANUARY 26, 2014, 20:15
ARRIVING / Washington
TOTAL PRICE / 521.60 USD
Please download and print your ticket from the following URL :
https://www.delta.com/flifo/servlet/DeltaDLTicket?airline_code=DL&flight_number=DT7928115008US&order_date=01/26/2014&request=main
For more information regarding your order, contact us by visiting :
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/support/talk-to-us.html
I didn’t fly to Washington. There was nothing on my credit card.
With enough information identity thieves can pretend they are you.
And I did not respond to the email. Had I responded these thieves would have had way too much information about me and would have – could have, used it to take my money out of my bank account.
This is another example of the continuing Identity theft problem. Be vigilant and if it looks too good to be true it usually isn’t true.
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 20, 2014
Halton Regional Police have gone public with a request for help in catching the brazen bandit who got his year started off with a daring daylight bank hold up during which he got away with an amount of cash – police aren’t saying how much.
Police working with dog trying to pick up a scent outside the bank where the robber is believed to have fled. The dog did get a scent – but he never got the bank robber.
On Friday January 3rd, 2014, at approximately 1:30pm, a lone male entered the Bank of Montreal located at 519 Brant Street in the City of Burlington.
The suspect approached a bank teller, indicated he had a weapon and demanded cash. The suspect was given a quantity of cash ran out the front door and ran up the northern side of the bank into the parking lot where he just disappeared.
The dog does what a dog has to do – before chasing after a bank robber.
Police brought in the canine unit – more than half an hour after the robbery, but they were unable to pick up a scent.
Police are now appealing to the public for whatever information they may have.
Suspect Description:
Male White
40-50 years of age
Approximately 6’2″ – 6’4″
Approximately 230-260lbs
Wearing a dark-colored coat and beige colored pants
Wearing a baseball cap with a toque over top
Dark sunglasses
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Phil Vandenbeukel, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2313 or Detective John Ophoven, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2343.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274637(crimes).
Background links:
Police search for bank robber after a Friday afternoon heist.
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 20, 2014
It appeared as an email to “undisclosed recipients”. For those that get taken in by these attempts at Identity Theft this one had an intriguing angle. The names, said the email, had been drawn from the Samsung database of telephone and internet email users. At some point I may have been on the Samsung web site and asked for some information. There were none of the usual spelling mistakes. But the language gives it away.
What would you have done with this one?
Had you responded you would have given away a lot of information about yourself that someone would be selling to people who are never described as nice.
**************THIS IS NOT A SPAM************** Samsung Europe Internet Prize and Email Messaging Center P.O Box 732
Rotterdam- The Netherlands
Telefax: 0031-844-393-028
www.samsung.com/europe
WINNING NOTIFICATION: Coupon Number: Q-119/SRV The sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Euros with a Samsung Ativ Book9 lite and a Samsung Galaxy NoteIII have been awarded to you from Samsung database of telephone and internet email users from which your email address was attached to the winning Coupon Number: Q-119/SRV.
Contact the notarization officer with your winning coupon number and required information for your notarization for transfer below.
CONTACT:
Smit De Keizer(Mr.) Claims Agent / Notarization Officer.
Contact Email: samsung.eu@europe.com
Provide required information:
Full Names:
Age:
Occupation:
Address:
Nationality:
Country of Residence:
Tel number:
Email:
Mode of Payment: (Bank Transfer, Bank Cheque or Personal Claim) Note that any leakage of your winning notification resulting to a double claim will automatically forfeit your winning prize thus we advise you to keep your winning notification message confidential and away from public notice to prevent double claims or impersonation until after remittance/payment to you.
Your Faithfully,
Victoria Van Eggo.(P.R.O) Samsung Europe
© 2014 Samsung Europe. All rights reserved. Terms of use. Privacy Statement¬
Had this come to you – what would you have done? Identity theft happens and people get seriously damaged financially. Know more and protect yourself. And lighten up on the greed factor and you’ll be just fine.
Background links:
How the identity theft thieves really work.
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 14, 2014
Identity theft is a BIG business, and a rather successful one for some people as well. This message came floating in earlier today. What are the clues?
Well, first the receiver of the email is not an Apple product user, second look at the email address it was sent from and then note the date at the bottom of the email.
Look at the language – there is no way Apple is going to let a message that poorly crafted get sent out.
If you use Apple products you might have thought this was a legitimate message. It isn’t – phony as a three dollar bill.
The full message reads:
This is an automatic message by the system to let you know that you
have to confirm your Apple ID account information within 48 hours.
Your account has been frozen temporarily if order to protect it.
The account will continue to be frozen until it is approved And Validate
you account information. Once you have updated your account records
, your information will be confirmed and your account will start
to work as normal once again.
This will help protect you in the future. The process does not take more than 5 minutes.
To proceed to confirm your account information Click here
Copyright © 2013 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. If you click there you are in the process of telling thieves, probably in Nigeria, more about you than they should know.
If the message doesn’t make sense to you – delete it.
Background:
Identity theft is a BIG business – the purpose of which is to steal your money.
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 8, 2014
They are selling the stuff legally in Colorado where a member of their Legislature sent an email to her supporters Monday night with glowing praise for her state’s recreational marijuana sales, which began New Year’s Day.
“It was a big week in Colorado,” the legislator wrote. “Across the state, recreational marijuana was sold for the first time. And guess what? The world didn’t end.”
But in Burlington – raiding residences and seizing every ounce possible is the name of the game.
If the laws of supply and demand applies to the drug trade – prices for marijuana should rise. Maybe they are like gas prices where the supply is manipulated.
The police wanted the public to be fully aware of what they are doing and invited media to tag along on the raid that took place. Very early this morning members of the Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang Unit executed three Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrants within apartments situated at 41 Speers Road, Oakville.
Police located three highly sophisticated cannabis marihuana grow operations in each apartment. It is believe that all three locations are associated to one another and operated by the same suspect(s). Upon entry, police seized 1605 marihuana plants in various stages of growth and over 30 pounds of dried cannabis marihuana.
This investigation is currently ongoing and police are seeking the public assistance to identify the persons responsible. Police have information regarding one suspect who is described as an Asian female in her middle thirties.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON
January 7, 2013
Two imports from Hamilton may not be going home soon. They were arrested in connection to a rash of night-time residential break and enters in Burlington.
An observant citizen saw something that didn’t look quite right shortly after 5:00 am on the 5th of January and called police to report the suspicious activity.
Police converged on the area and quickly determined a residential break and enter was in progress into a home on Woodland Avenue. They arrested one male inside the home while another fled on foot but was later identified and arrested at his residence in the City of Hamilton. The first guy had turned on his partner in crime
Investigators have identified two more residences that were broken into and another where an entry was attempted. In each instance, the homeowners /occupants were away.
Police have seized an involved vehicle that contained stolen property. A search warrant was executed in the City of Hamilton where money, jewellery, safes and electronics were recovered.
The investigation is ongoing with more charges expected as there are links to past similar break and enters that have occurred in Burlington and Oakville since October 2013.
Accused:
Shane Curtis PYE-PERLER (04NOV1987) of Wilson Street in Hamilton is charged with:
3 counts of Break and Enter and commit indictable offence of theft
1 count of Break and Enter with intent to commit an indictable offence
1 count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
Jermaine Omar GRAHAM (27JUL1990) of Market Street in Hamilton is charged with:
3 counts of Break and Enter and commit indictable offence of theft
1 count of Break and Enter with intent to commit an indictable offence
1 count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ellie Bale – 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Crime Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2312.
If you have information on this or any other crime please call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the website or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON
January 7, 2014
The Regional Police Service has done something we don’t see very often; they published the photograph of a minor and provided the public with a copy of the document they took before a Justice of the Peace to get the authority to publish the picture.
The authority to publish the picture has limitation attached to it. It must be removed from wherever it is published by 11:5 p pm on January 10th, 2014. How is that going to be enforced?
Unidentified male wanted for questioning on a sexual assault complaint.
Media were given a copy of the picture – the moment we publish it is out there for the world to see and it is all but impossible to erase once it’s public.
The youth, based on the photograph, looks like a high school or community college student. Once someone at a high school sees the picture it gets routed to every person with a cell phone.
We are curious as to why the police took this action for an event that took place last October. Here are the details.
On October 17, 2013 at 6:45 p.m., a 13-year-old girl was waiting in line at a Subway restaurant on Driftwood Drive when she was approached from behind and her buttocks were grabbed. The offender did not converse with the victim and promptly left the establishment.
The offender is described as male, white, 17 to 19 years of age, 5’8” tall, medium to heavy build, short dark brown hair with acne on his face. He was wearing a dark-colored hoodie with ‘IRISH’ written in white lettering on the front and white laces protruding from the hoodie area, a white shirt underneath with baggy blue jean shorts (tied in front), white socks and black runners.
The police asked for and were given authority to publish the photograph of a youth suspected of grabbing the buttocks of a young woman in Burlington last October. The time limit placed on the release of the photograph is highly unusual and suggests a lack of understanding of what happens to content when it appears on the internet.
The police asked for and were given a Judicial Authorization to release the suspect’s photo. The photo is authorized to be posted until Friday, January 10th at 11:59pm. That authorization is for the police website. We see nothing in the Authorization that calls for the Gazette to take down what we put up on the 10th of January.
The police ask that anyone with information concerning this offender to contact the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit at 905 465-8970, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274637(crimes).
This action on the part of the Halton Regional Police Service does not appear to have been thoroughly thought out.
We will follow this one with considerable interest.
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 6, 2014
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported a significant drop in the number of impaired driving charges officers laid during their province-wide 2013 Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Campaign.
The campaign, which ran across the province from Nov. 23 to Jan. 2, 2014, resulted in 578 impaired driving charges being laid by OPP officers. Another 481 Warning Range Suspensions were issued.
By comparison, OPP officers laid 693 impaired driving charges during the 2012 campaign and issued 625 Warning Range Suspensions.
It’s time consuming work =- but this year it kept 15 people with too much alcohol in them off the roads. Time well spent.
While the OPP indicated they were pleased to see the lower numbers associated with the 2013 Festive RIDE campaign, they said the charges serve as a reminder that a small number of impaired drivers threatened the lives of other road users over the holidays.
Locally the picture was about the same as last year with fewer cars stopped but the number of charges laid the same as 2012.
The Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) program remains a key deterrent against drunk driving. R.I.D.E. spot checks are conducted year round, with an emphasis placed on holidays and long weekends when higher volumes of traffic and opportunities to drink and drive are present.
R.I.D.E. 101 was an innovative pilot project created by the Halton Regional Police Service in 2006 to educate young drivers about the risks associated with impaired driving. The three-phase program geared towards high school students includes on-campus demonstrations and displays, as well as actual driver spot checks.
Follows are the results of the 2012 R.I.D.E. holiday campaign for Burlington which ran from December 1st-31st:
Vehicles stopped: 6,075
- Roadside breath tests: 208
- Pass tests: 192
- Warn tests: 13
- Fail tests: 3
- Impaired charges: 5
- Over 0.08 charges: 8
The Halton Regional Police recently appointed a new Media Relations officer: Sgt Chantal Corner, who advises us that their number for the 2013 RIDE program were as follows:
4,125 cars were stopped during the R.I.D.E campaign
203 Roadside tests were administered with 172 pass tests, 22 warns and 9 fails.
Three charges of Impaired Driving were laid and 12 charges of Over 80 mg.
By Pepper Parr
January 3, 2014, Burlington, ON.
It was just after 1:30 pm. I was driving up John Street into the Plaza on Brant that is home to Joe Dogs when I spotted a police cruiser with its light flashing stopped in the parking lot behind the Bank of Montreal, just south of Eatalia on Brant.
I glanced to the far end of the parking lot and saw an unmarked cruiser in the drive coming in off Brant Street. Police had clearly blocked access to the bank parking lot.
I made a fast U-turn and parked my car – illegally – and grabbed my camera. There was no movement. The police officer didn’t have much to say. It was cold and I had very light foot wear on – so after standing around for 10 minutes I got back into my car drove in the parking lot and slipped into the Scotia Bank where I had an account, took out some cash and headed down Brant Street where I saw five policed vehicles, sirens blaring, come to a screeching halt in the middle of Brant where all kinds of police officers piled out. Officers went to the trunks of the vehicles and grabbed weapons while the officer from the canine unit let the dog out of the van.
Dog from the canine unit had a little personal business to take care of before picking up a scent and chasing down a bank robber.
The dog had a little personal business to take care of first before he was led to the side of the bank to pick up a scent – and then they were off.
Two “beefy police officers following the German shepherd at the rear of Joe Dogs on Brant Street looking for the bank robber.
The canine officer, two of the beefiest police officers I have seen in some time and a very young, nervous looking officer with a sub-machine gun following rapidly behind the dog who was leading through a city parking lot east of John Street, then back to Joe Dogs where he was sniffing away.
Police stand by as German shepherd picks up scent of suspected bank robber outside Bank of Montreal branch on Brant Street.
Then back to the bank parking lot and eventually back down John Street towards Caroline. I got the sense that whatever the dog was looking for wasn’t going to be found.
And the man, who had entered the bank at about 1:30, according to the police report was not apprehended.
Police reported that on Friday, January 3, 2014, at about 1:30pm, a lone male suspect entered the Bank of Montreal at 519 Brant St in Burlington where he indicated he had a weapon and demanded cash.
The suspect made off with a quantity of cash and fled in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as: Male, white, 6’4-6’5, early 30’s, clean-shaven, wearing beige pants, a blue hooded winter jacket, dark toque over top of a baseball cap and sunglasses.
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