Police Services Board

The Penetanguishene Police Services Board, recommends priorities with respect to the delivery of police services in the municipality and monitors police functions to ensure that adequate and effective police services are provided.

2022-2023 Board Priorities, Objectives and Work Initiatives:
  • Increase road and marine safety through continued enforcement of “The Big Four” infractions (speeding, distracted driving, occupant restraints and impaired driving).
  • Prioritize community engagement through increased visibility, education forums, events and public information sessions
    • Use the Safe Streets Act, Community Policing, Vehicle, Bicycle and Foot Patrols to moderate antisocial and aggressive behaviour on streets and trails
    • Develop regular, ongoing communications with business and community groups to address local policing issues and concerns by way of Public Information Sessions, Education Forums and participation in local events
  • Maintain ongoing partnership with social service providers such as the North Simcoe Crisis Management and Resource Team (CMART), and local hospitals in order to facilitate support for vulnerable individuals and families in need
  • Prioritize crime engagement through increased visibility and enforcement in areas where crime is more prevalent to enhance the public’s sense of safety and security.
    • Employ innovative and creative mechanisms to improve community safety and wellbeing (i.e. Project Lifesaver)
  • Increase community street crime enforcement with an emphasis on weapons and drugs
  • Improve risk management and crime prevention through initiatives such as CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) and “lock it or lose it” with assistance from the Auxiliary program

Police Services Board Announcements

FROM/DE: Nottawasaga Detachment DATE: July 6, 2023

THE WORDS WE USE MATTER

Nottawasaga Opioid Public Awareness Campaign (June 26-July 7, 2023)

(TOWN OF NEW TECUMSETH, ADJALA-TOSORONTIO & ESSA TOWNSHIPS, ON)- The Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues its opioid public awareness campaign and would like people to be aware that the words we use matter. Stigma can have a major impact on the quality of life of people who use opioids, people who are in recovery, and their friends and family. Stigma creates barriers to accessing health and social services for substance use. Stigma can make people feel ashamed of their drug use which can prevent them from receiving help if they need or want it. Sadly, this often leads to people to use drugs alone, which in turn lead to overdosing, and perhaps even dying alone.
Stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs about a group of people and their circumstances in life. It includes discrimination, prejudice, judgement, labels, isolation and stereotypes.

There are various forms of stigma:

  • Social stigma: when one experiences negative attitudes or behaviors toward people who use drugs
  • Structural stigma: when health care providers or first responders ignore or do not take people with problematic substance use seriously
  • Self-stigma: when people apply to themselves the negative attitudes and beliefs that they have heard from others

Why do our words matter?

  • The language we use has a direct and profound impact on those around us. The negative impacts of stigma can be reduced by changing the language we use about substance use.
  • By using compassionate and respectful words in place of negative ones, you can make it easier for someone to speak up, to feel heard and understand or to receive help.

How can we help reduce the cycle of stigma?

  • Listen with compassion, and without judgement, so that a person who uses drugs feels heard and understood
  • Speak up when someone is being treated disrespectfully because of their substance abuse
  • Use words that are "people-first" language:
    • Replace "junkie", "addict", "user" with "a person who uses drugs" or "a person with substance use disorder"
    • Replace "former drug addict" with "a person with a lived experience" or "a person in recovery"
  • Visit Stigma: Why Words Matter to learn more about person first language and the impact language has on people who use drugs. Visit Get the facts at Canada.ca/Opioids for more valuable information on this important issue.

Starting conversations and creating dialogue to get keep people talking about substance use is an important step to help address the overdose crisis. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit launched a public awareness campaign called "People Who Use Drugs". Please take the time and watch some "lived perspective" videos from those who have had experiences with opioids: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/Drugs/opioids/People-who-use-drugs

Please take the time to watch a lived perspective story originally filmed during the 2020 Nottawasaga OPP Opioid Awareness Campaign. Provincial Constable Katy Viccary sits down with Barrie resident Natalie Harris, a retired Simcoe County Paramedic who helped those in crisis in the midst of experiencing her own personal addiction, and who now helps others in their journeys. To watch the video, please visit: https://twitter.com/OPP_CR/status/1288201642777534464

The words we use when we talk about people who use drugs can be impactful and can either create barriers for access to services or bridge this care. We have the choice to use language that provides dignity and respect for the people involved. Together, we can make a difference.

For information on the Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy, visit www.smdhu.org/opioids or www.opp.ca/opioids.If you suspect an overdose, stay, call 9-1-1 and save a life.
Photo attached- Natalie Harris (Retired Paramedic, Simcoe County Paramedic Services) and Provincial Constable Katy Viccary, Nottawasaga OPP in 2020 during filming a "lived perspective" story during the 2020 Nottawasaga OPP Opioid Awareness Campaign

-30-
Media Contact:
Provincial Constable Katy Viccary
Community Safety Officer/Media Relations Officer
Nottawasaga OPP
705-440-8230
Katy.Viccary@opp.ca

On May 18, 2023, Police Services Board Chair Brian Cummings attended former Detachment Commander Joe Evans' retirement celebration. Inspector Evans was appointed to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment back in late 2019 and eventually appointed as Detachment Commander.

Mr. Evans was a pleasure to work with, had a true passion for the community, his staff and made continuous contributions within his position. He was a true advocate for safety and promoted the OPP's Vision of 'Safe Communities, A Secure Ontario with passion.

On behalf of the Penetanguishene Police Services Board and the Town of Penetanguishene, we sincerely wish Mr. Joe Evans a huge congratulations on his retirement with the Ontario Provincial Police.  His service to the North Simcoe Community is appreciated and certainly valued. We wish him all the best as he enters this next phase in his life.

FROM/DE:   Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment          DATE: September 29, 2022         

A Reminder on How to Access OPP Administrative Services In Penetanguishene

(PENETANGUISHENE, ON)- A reminder for Town of Penetanguishene residents that the satellite OPP office located in the rear of the Town Municipal building and managed by the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (https://www.opp.ca) is closed for administrative services ONLY  .

Officers continue to provide public safety services as they always have, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are dispatched by calling the OPP Communication Center at 1-888-310-1122 or 911 for emergent calls for service.

How to Access OPP Administrative Services

You can contact the OPP online to file a report of a minor crime at https://opp.ca/index.php?id=132 and follow the prompts.

Anyone requiring an OPP police records check is reminded that they are only available through an online application process at https://opp.ca/index.php?id=147 .

Administrative services will continue to be available during regular business hours at the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment location at 16864 Highway 12 Midland (///relations.fatigue.appraise) and at the Midland satellite office located at 250 Second Street, Midland (///guarding.domains.lazier ).

If you have any information regarding a crime in the community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or you can submit your information online at Crime Stoppers of Simcoe-Dufferin-Muskoka. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00

Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired driver on our roadways, waterways or trails please "Make the Call" and dial 911 as impaired driving never ends wellplease make a plan to get home safely.

-30-

Provincial Constable David Hobson Media Officer

Southern Georgian Bay Detachment 705-733-5440

///relations.fatigue.appraise What3Words link -https://vimeo.com/427440787

twitter.com/OPP_CR

https://www.facebook.com/OPPCentralRegion/ 

Ontario 511 Road Information MTO Roads Report

A new media release has been made by the OPP for Southern Georgian Bay. The release content is below. If you wish to unsubscribe from these alerts, log into the OPP News Release Portal and select "Manage Account".

Joining a Committee 

The Town of Penetanguishene relies on its citizens to volunteer their time and expertise by serving on various boards and committees. If you are interested in applying to be a part of a committee, please fill out the application form below, and submit it to the Municipal Clerk. 

Scroll to top