Current News Releases

March 6th, 2020

On March 3, 2020 the Gananoque Police Service was contacted from school administration at Gananoque Intermediate and Secondary School regarding an incident where a student made intentional physical contact with a teacher. As a result of the investigation on March 6, 2020 a 17-year-old youth was arrested and charged with assault. The youth is scheduled to appear in Brockville court at a later date.

March 8th, 2020

On March 8, 2020 officers while on routine patrol observed a known female who was currently wanted by The Brockville Police service for Fraud Over $5000. Officers arrested the 39-year-old female from Gananoque on the strength of the warrant. She was transported to police headquarters and released to attend court at a later date.

March 8th, 2020

On March 7, 2020 Gananoque Police responded to a Gananoque group home in relation to a 17-year-old male youth who had left the residence AWOL. The youth was currently before the court on several release documents and probation orders from numerous offences over the past 2 years. Seven of the incidents have occurred in Gananoque. The accused was subsequently located and arrested for violating his current court orders and releases. The accused male youth was held in custody to attend a bail hearing in Brockville on all outstanding charges: Assault, Utter threats, FTC sentence order or probation x 5, Fail to attend for prints x 5, Fail to comply with release conditions x 4.

March 2nd, 2020

On March 2, 2020 at 3:21 AM officers while on routine patrol conducted a traffic stop on a driver that was known to be a suspended. Subsequent investigation resulted in the seizure of 3.5 grams of cocaine, scales, packaging material and cutting agent. The male was also under the influence of alcohol. Although his readings did not meet the criteria for a criminal charge, as a result of his license status as a G2 driver he was not permitted to have any alcohol in his system. Open alcohol was located within the vehicle. The 22-year-old male from Leeds and Thousand Island TWP was subsequently arrested and charged with Drive suspended, Possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine, and Drive with open container of alcohol. His vehicle was impounded for 7 days. The accused is scheduled to attend Brockville Court at a later date.

March 2nd, 2020

On March 2, 2020 Gananoque Police responded to a Gananoque group home in relation to a 17-year-old male youth who had left the residence AWOL on February 28, 2020. The youth was currently before the court on several release documents and probation orders from numerous offences over the past two years. Six of the incidents occurred in Gananoque. The accused was subsequently arrested for violating several of his court orders. The accused male youth was held in custody to attend a bail hearing in Brockville for Fail to comply with undertaking x4, Fail to comply with Sentence (Probation) x4, Assault and Utter threats.

March 2nd, 2020

On March 2, 2020 Officers arrested a 53-year-old male from Kingston on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Kingston for failing to comply with conditions of his probation order. He was taken into custody without incident and turned over to the Kingston Police Service.

March 4th, 2020

On March 4, 2020 while officers were on routine patrol, they observed a 23-year-old male from Gananoque known to police and currently before the courts on several charges in relation to failing to comply with his probation. Further investigation revealed he had failed to attend court to answer to those charges and a bench warrant was issued from Brockville Court. Officers arrested the male and he was held in custody on his previous charges as well as charged additionally for Failing to attend court.

March 5th, 2020

On March 5, 2020 officers while on routine patrol observed a known 44-year-old female from Gananoque on King Street. A subsequent CPIC check revealed she was currently wanted by Kingston Police Service for failing to comply with conditions of her probation order. The female was arrested without incident and turned over to the custody of Kingston Police Service.

March 5th, 2020

On March 5th of 2020, at approximately 10:20pm, Gananoque Police received a call to a construction site located on South Street. An off-site monitoring company had called police to advise that they observed an unknown male inside the jobsite. Officers attended and located a stolen vehicle nearby. Subsequent investigation resulted in officers identifying and locating the lone male responsible for the vehicle theft and entry into the jobsite nearby. He was found to be in possession of material stolen from the jobsite. The male was arrested and returned to police headquarters.

While the male was in police custody his behaviour continued to escalate. It became evident that he was intoxicated by drugs. At one point the male pushed past officers in the cell block area resulting in officers having to physically restrain the male and place him into a restraint wrap for his own safety.

The male was currently bound by conditions of a probation order from non-related incidents. As a result of this incident, the 36-year-old male from Leeds and Thousand Island TWP was charged and held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Charges:
Theft of Motor Vehicle - Section 333.1 CC
Theft of Property U$5000 - Section 334(b) CC
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime U$5000 - Section 354(1)(a) CC (2 COUNTS)
Probation Order - Non Compliance - Section 733.1(1) CC
Obstruct Peace Officer - Section 129(a) CC

March 2nd, 2020

The Gananoque Police Service Youth In Policing Initiative (YIPI), members of the Gananoque Police Service, Gananoque Police Association and Gananoque Police Services Board raised $2800 in August of 2019 in support of sending Brian Secker and his team The Kingston Shot Rocks to The Special Olympics National Winter Games in Thunder Bay, ON. The games were played from February 25-29, 2020. Brian has participated locally for 16 years in the Gananoque Police Service Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) each Spring in Gananoque. Officers from around the province participated in the LETR to escort the flame into the opening ceremonies in Thunder Bay. We are proud to have supported our local athletes, and even more proud to advise that Brian and his team brought home a silver medal.

Click on photo to enlarge.

February 16th, 2020

On February 16th, 2020 Gananoque Police Service received a call regarding an intoxicated male attempting to drive. Officers responded and found the male in his vehicle parked outside the business he had just attended. The male showed obvious signs of being intoxicated by alcohol and was subsequently arrested for Impaired Operation of a Conveyance. A breath test was administered, and his blood-alcohol concentration was over twice the legal limit. As a result, the male’s license was immediately suspended for 90 days and his vehicle was impounded for 7 days. He was released from police custody by way of an Appearance Notice.

February 13th, 2020

On February 13, 2020, the Ontario Provincial Police dealt with a 28-year-old female and a 42-year-old male in the Town of Prescott. Both had multiple active warrants with Gananoque Police Service for missing their last court appearances with multiple charges before the Courts. The Gananoque Police Service returned the male and female to Gananoque where they were held in custody pending a bail hearing.

February 14th, 2020

On February 14, 2020, the Gananoque Police Service, in collaboration with the Provincial Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Unit (ROPE), located and arrested a 28-year-old male in the City of Kingston. The male was wanted on a Committal Warrant with multiple outstanding charges before the Court. Officers were able to effect the arrest without incident and he was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

February 12th, 2020

On January 22nd, 2020 the Gananoque Police received a report of a green haired male who had made an inappropriate proposition to a 13 year old male.

On February 11th, 2020 police received information identifying the male suspect in front of a King Street business. As a result, a 67 year old Gananoque male was arrested and charged with Invitation to Sexual Touching (under 16 years of age) and Criminal Harassment.

The accused was held in custody for a show cause bail hearing.

February 6th, 2020

The Municipal Drug Strategy of the Town of Gananoque, Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands and the Township of Rideau Lakes is moving forward in 2020 with youth representatives leading the process. The Strategy’s focus on youth and substance use will include community action and advocacy for safe spaces and youth voice.

Police Chief Garry Hull remarks “as the Chief of Police in Gananoque I am very proud of the work that has been completed and continues to be done by the members of the Municipal Drug Strategy in our community. Their investment into the fabric of the well-being for those who struggle with addictions in our community has been commendable. I look forward to the continued support of the Gananoque Police Service in providing assistance to the MDS. You have the ability to make positive changes in peoples’ lives.”

On October 2, 2019, the Municipal Drug Strategy hosted a Community Conversation. This meeting highlighted the work of the Strategy with respect to the four pillars – Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment and Enforcement. Dr. Paula Stewart, Police Chief Garry Hull, Debbie Blair (LLGMHA), and Jessica Mackenzie (LGLDHU) spoke to the past MDS successes, future plans and best practices of community substance use and misuse.

The four recommendations from this meeting were:

• Increase public education and awareness of substance use and misuse
• Increasing access and awareness to recreational and extra-curricular opportunities for youth and their families
• Increase ways to communicate and bring awareness of the Municipal Drug Strategy efforts
• Find opportunities to more effectively integrate and connect with the 4-pillar work currently being done in the community.

The focus on safe youth spaces at our January meeting included the voice of stakeholders from the three municipalities as well as lessons learned about safe youth spaces from neighboring communities. We will continue to move this conversation forward at the upcoming March 5th meeting.

For more information or to participate in this important work, please email MDSGananoqueTLTI@gmail.com or call your local municipality for more information.

February 3rd, 2020

On February 3rd, 2020, officers on patrol observed a male known to them and believed to have a warrant. The warrant for Failing to Re-Attend Court was confirmed and the 29 year old Lansdowne male was placed under arrest and transported to the station. The male was held for a show cause bail hearing.

February 4th, 2020

On February 4th, 2020 officers on patrol conducted a traffic stop on King Street West on a vehicle bearing stolen licence plates. During the course of the investigation, drug paraphernalia and a quantity of Crystal Methamphetamine and Ecstasy were located inside the vehicle.

As a result, 31 year old Gananoque male has been charged with Possession of Stolen Property and 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance. The male was later released on an Undertaking with conditions and a court date in the future to answer the charges.

A 28 year old female from Lansdowne was also charged with Drive Motor Vehicle No Insurance and released by a summons to attend court.

February 2nd, 2020

The Gananoque Police responded to a report of a missing youth. Further investigation revealed that the youth was on conditions to be amenable to the rules and discipline of the home and left without permission. The youth was later located and arrested without incident. The youth was charged with two counts of failing to comply with the conditions of his undertaking, and he was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

February 2nd, 2020

The Gananoque Police received a complaint relating to domestic assault. Further investigation determined that the accused had assaulted his partner numerous times over the course of several weeks. Police located and arrested the male at his residence. The man was searched following his arrest and police seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine. A 51-year-old Gananoque man faces charges of assault, overcome resistance by choking, fail to comply with his probation order and possession of a schedule 1 substance. The man was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

January 30th, 2020

On January 30th, 2020 Gananoque Police Service assisted OPP in responding to a large house party east of Gananoque. Upon arriving, police observed damage to the property and were advised that several unwelcomed males were to blame and that they had since left in a dark truck. Gananoque Police soon after received a call regarding a dark truck that had followed a male home from the party into town. The complainant observed the truck idling outside their residence and did not feel safe.

While searching for the truck, a concerned citizen approached officers and advised that two of the suspects were inside a local business and threatening to return to the party to do harm.

Officers located and arrested the males. One of the males was co-operative while the other provided a false identity. As a result, he was charged with Uttering Death Threats, Mischief to Property, and Obstructing a Police investigation. The 18-year-old Kingston man was held in custody for a show cause hearing. He was later released at court on conditions to a surety.

January 30th, 2020

On January 30th, 2020 Gananoque Police received information from an off-duty officer that a wanted male had been observed in town. Officers were able to locate the wanted male in a vehicle and a traffic stop was conducted. The 35-year-old male ran from the vehicle and a brief foot pursuit ensued. The male was arrested, held in custody and later escorted to bail court.

January 31st, 2020

On January 31st, 2020 Gananoque Police Service responded to a call of an elderly female acting strange at a local business. The complainant was familiar with the female and described her behaviour as bizarre. He advised that she had driven her car towards him several times in what he perceived as a threatening manner.

Officers were also familiar with the female. Given her deteriorating mental health and her squalid living conditions, the female was apprehended pursuant to the Mental Health Act. She was transported to the hospital where she was admitted and held for a psychiatric assessment.

Gananoque Police work in partnership with Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health services, the John Howard Society, and Victim Services. Anyone having concerns regarding the mental health and wellbeing of a friend or family member are encouraged to contact GPS’ Community Outreach Program.

January 22nd, 2020

On Wednesday January 22, Gananoque Police spoke with a concerned father who reported an incident involving his 13-year-old son. At approximately 2:40pm, his son was walking westbound at the end of Pine Street when he encountered a male estimated to be 50. He described the male as being medium build, wearing blue jeans, dark blue shoes and a black winter jacket. The male had green curly hair, a green goatee and was not wearing glasses. The unknown male made an inappropriate proposition to the boy, who then ran off.

Police are looking to locate and identify this male. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Gananoque Police.

January 23rd, 2020

The Gananoque Police have arrested and charged a 24-year-old Gananoque man following a traffic investigation. Police conducted a traffic stop on King Street East and subsequent investigation revealed the driver had been driving with a suspended licence. The male was arrested, and a search of the male resulted in the seizure of a small quantity of Crystal Methamphetamine.

The male was charged with one count of possession of a Schedule 1 Substance, Drive while suspended, Drive – no insurance and using plates not authorized for vehicle. The male was released from custody and will appear in court at a later date.

January 4th, 2020

On Saturday January 4th, the Gananoque Police Service received a complaint of a domestic altercation that had just occurred. Officers attended and spoke to all involved parties. As a result, a 52-year-old male was arrested for the incident. The male suspect is also currently wanted in relation to a province wide arrest warrant in British Columbia.

During the course of the investigation, police also learned of a previous assault that occurred while the couple were living in Gananoque. The male was subsequently charged with 2 counts of Domestic Assault and failing to comply with a release condition. He was held in custody for a bail hearing.

Telephone Scams

The Gananoque Police Service is reminding people to verify the legitimacy of any organization that calls asking for funds from the public, and to only provide personal information, credit card information and banking information to reliable and confirmed sources.

Credit Card Fraud Scams

The Gananoque Police Service is reminding the public to verify the legitimacy of any organization that calls advising a credit or debit card has been compromised and requests personal information, credit card information or banking information. This can be done by calling the credit card company or banking institution directly.

Canada Revenue Agency Phone Calls

The Gananoque Police have received several complaints from concerned citizens who have been receiving calls from individuals who claim to work for Revenue Canada. The caller demands payment for money owed from past income tax years, sometimes using aggressive tactics and ultimatums. Citizens are reminded that these types of calls are fraudulent and should be ignored. Additionally, citizens should never give financial or personal information out over the phone to non-trusted sources. For more information, the CRA has issues an advisory on this matter, or visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at www.antifraudcentre.ca to learn more about this and other popular scams.

Door-to-Door Solicitors

Recently many Gananoque residents have again been the target of door-to-door solicitors using questionable tactics.
The Gananoque Police Service reminds citizens to be cautious when it comes to allowing strangers into their homes. Although many door-to-door sales campaigns involve legitimate companies the tactics used by some canvassers cause concern for some residents.
Please remember that you are not obligated to allow anyone into your home. Legitimate door-to-door canvassers usually have identification cards and literature explaining who they are and the products and services they are offering. Don’t allow the canvassers to pressure you into completing a transaction with claims such as "this is a one-time only deal" or "after today the price goes up". Take the time to research the product or service and "read the fine print" before making a financial commitment.
Residents are also encouraged to report the negative experience to the company that the solicitors are representing. Most companies welcome such feedback as they do not want their corporate image affected negatively by such behaviour from their employees. If, however, you feel you have been the target of a scam, fraud or aggressive tactics, please report the incident to police. Additionally, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre can be contacted at 1-888-495-8501 to report a fraud and to receive more information about frauds and scams. For further information visit their website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.

OPPA not soliciting funds for its Community Bear Program

The Gananoque Police Service has received a number of inquiries from Gananoque residents asking about telephone calls they have received soliciting funds for teddy bears for The Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA). The Gananoque Police Service is advising that the OPPA has confirmed that they do not solicit the public for its Community Bear Program and this is a confirmed scam.
The Gananoque Police Service is reminding people to verify the legitimacy of any organization that calls to solicit funds from the public, and to only provide personal information, credit card information and banking information to reliable and confirmed sources.

The Gananoque Police Service has received several complaints of vehicles failing to stop for local school buses which have their flashing lights activated and children boarding the bus.
We would like to remind drivers to remain vigilant when on the roads during the morning and afternoon hours.


When driving on a road WITHOUT a median:

• drivers travelling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing.
• when you approach the bus from the front, stop at a safe distance to let children get on or off the bus and cross the road.
• when approaching from the rear, drivers should maintain an approximate 20 metre space.
• do not move forward until the red lights have stopped flashing or the bus begins to move.

Drivers can be charged if they pass a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing:

• First offence: $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points.
• Each following offence: $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time (up to six months).
• Vehicle owners can also be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, even if they weren't driving.
• If the vehicle owner does not pay the fine, they will not be able to renew the vehicle's permit.

Today, with all the shopping transactions that take place daily online, the Gananoque Police Service understands that you may feel uncomfortable meeting a stranger to complete an internet transaction. This Service encourages individuals to use the Gananoque Emergency Services parking lot as a "Safe Exchange Spot" for your internet purchases. Our station is under video surveillance and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.