NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Members of the Nottawasaga detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have responded to two concerning calls for service involving youth within the last 24 hours.
On Monday, March 27, 2023, around 5 p.m., a concerned citizen observed a group of youths who appeared to be laying on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) near the 7th Line in Tottenham, New Tecumseth while a southbound train was approaching.
Members of Nottawasaga OPP immediately responded to the area and a stop train order was initiated. The train had to conduct an emergency stop resulting in the railway system being shut down until the parties could be located.
Upon arrival, police observed the youth running away and ultimately lost sight of them.
Officers patrolled the area, including a nearby neighbouring subdivision, with negative results.
Acts such as this are not only extremely dangerous, but utilize emergency service resources.
Also on Monday, March 27, 2023, around 6 p.m., Nottawasaga OPP was contacted by a concerned citizen who had observed a group of youth spray painting 29 panels of fences backing on to Fairview Park on Martin Trail, in Tottenham, New Tecumseth.
The suspects fled prior to police arrival. Police investigated and have identified the youth responsible for the mischief, who will not be identified due to their ages.
Acts of vandalism such as this are considered mischief under the Criminal Code of Canada and can be quite time and cost consuming to repair.
Nottawasaga OPP are encouraging parents, caregivers, teachers, anyone with interaction with youth to please remind them of the importance of making responsible and safe choices. One little wrong decision could easily change the trajectory of lives forever.
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