We’re now a few weeks into the new year and the Lennox and Addington OPP and looking forward to making it a safe one.
Road safety continues to be a top priority heading into 2024. Road safety has a focus on our roads, waterways and trails with the marine unit, SAVE team and highway safety patrol out and about keeping an eye on things.
L&A OPP Detachment Commander Dave Tovell gave myFM an update on last year’s stats.
There were 950 collisions in 2023 in L&A County. That’s well below pre-covid statistics. There was sadly a slight uptick in fatalities, the OPP reporting 5 in 2023. Speeding remains one of the leading causes in fatalities.
The OPP also saw an increase in property thefts. They were mostly crimes of opportunities meaning stolen bikes, and theft from cars and sheds.
Looking ahead to 2024, Constable Dave Yome said he and the marine unit will be back out this summer.
When it comes to homelessness, Commander Tovell says they will continue to work with community partners like PELASS and Morningstar Mission to better understand how they can collaborate to support these community members.
To battle the increase of property crimes, they’ll be working more with their auxiliary officers to be more proactive. They will also be expanding CAMSAFE, which is currently live in Loyalist Township, to the remaining municipalities in the county.
Another partnership that will continue to beneficial in the year 2024 is the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT). They’re a support team who accompany officers on mental health calls.
Last year there was over 450 mental health calls. MCRT joined for a majority of those.
Stay tuned for more from the L&A OPP this year about fraud awareness, safety awareness, and events.
Written by Emily Chatwood