Current News Releases

February 21st, 2021

On February 21, 2021 at 5:30PM officers with the Gananoque Police Service responded to a midtown residence for an ongoing disturbance in progress call. When officers arrived on scene, they located a male armed with a hammer striking a shed door, while a male known to the accused sought refuge inside the shed. The male attempted to flee into a building upon officers arriving on scene but was quickly arrested without incident. Prior to police arrival the male had smashed a window in the building. The male was further determined to be on release conditions pertaining to unrelated charges with several conditions. As a result, the 35-year-old male from Toronto was charged with mischief, causing a disturbance and multiple counts of failing to comply with an undertaking. The male is scheduled to answer to the charges at a later date.

February 24th, 2021

On February 24, 2021 at 1:30PM officers with the Gananoque Police Service responded to a family dispute in progress. Upon further investigation officers determined a male had uttered death threats to a member of his family and further smashed her personal property. The male was arrested without incident. The 24-year-old male from Gananoque was charged with utter threat to cause death, mischief, and 2 counts of failing to comply with release conditions from an unrelated incident. The male was held in custody and attended a bail hearing.

February 4th, 2021

At approximately 11:25 am the Gananoque Police were called to an East end business to a report of an impaired driver. Officers attended and located a lone male in the suspect vehicle, who exhibited obvious signs of impairment. The man was arrested and returned to the station for breath test analysis. The male provided samples of his breath that, when analysed, had a result of over four times the legal limit.

As a result, the 57-year-old Seeley’s Bay man was charged with one count each of: operate a conveyance while impaired and operate a conveyance while over 80 milligrams. He will appear in court at a later date.

February 1st, 2021

Gananoque Police are continuing to investigate a disturbing incident that occurred over night on January 29th where animal remains were discovered outside a local residence. Police have conducted extensive neighbourhood inquiries and are still seeking any information which would lead to identification of suspect(s) and/or a motive for the criminal offence.

Police have since obtained an expert opinion and it has been confirmed that the remains are from a wild animal. As the investigation continues police are confident that this incident does not pose a risk to domestic pets/animals.

Anyone with information is asked to call Gananoque Police at 613-382-4509 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

January 29th, 2021

On January 29, 2021 the Gananoque Police received a report of animal remains being left outside of a south ward residence overnight. Police responded and seized what appeared to be paws of a canid animal.

Investigation continues into the source of the remains and how the remains were obtained. Anyone with information is asked to call Gananoque Police at 613-382-4509 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

January 22nd, 2021

On January 22nd, the Gananoque Police Service received multiple calls regarding a disturbance in the parking lot of an east end business. An investigation was conducted which resulted in a 27-year-old Gananoque male being arrested and charged with 2 counts of Criminal Harassment, Uttering Threats and Failing to Comply with Undertaking. The male was held in custody for a bail hearing.

January 25th, 2021

On January 23rd, 2021, the Gananoque Police Service received a report of suspicious activity that occurred during the early morning hours in the south ward. Subsequent investigation determined that construction equipment had been stolen from a south ward residence and re-located to a west ward residence. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence and arrested a 30-year-old Gananoque male and a 46-year-old Gananoque female. Both parties were charged with Theft Under $5,000 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000 and will appear in court at a later date.

January 18th, 2021

The Gananoque Police Service is advising pet owners to exercise caution while walking their pets due to recent reports of possibly contaminated food in the Thousand Islands area. Police have received two reports of suspicious food items left at various locations within the Town of Gananoque. Police remind owners of the bylaw to keep your pet on a leash and to pay extra attention while walking to prevent consumption of unknown food. Currently there are no signs of malicious intent, but police urge you to be proactive to keep your pets safe. As always please contact the Gananoque Police at 613-382-4422 to report suspicious activity.

December 28th, 2020

In the early morning hours of December 24th, 2020 the Gananoque Police received a report of a licensed premise having an after hours function with liquor. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit was under Yellow Status at the time. Officers attended and spoke to the owner of the premise. The owner was advised of the COVID restrictions at the time and the function was shut down.

On December 28th, 2020 officers of the Gananoque Police Service attended the owners residence and served a Provincial Offences Notice under the Reopening Ontario Act 2020 for failing to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order. The penalty is a set fine of $750.00 and a Victim Surcharge of $125.00 for a total payable of $875.00

December 11th, 2020

On Friday, December 11, 2020, Gananoque Police located and arrested a local Gananoque man, who had been wanted for various breaches of his Probation Order. The male was processed and released from the Gananoque Police Station with a court date scheduled for January 2021.

December 11th, 2020

On the afternoon of December 11, 2020, Gananoque Police Officers conducting routine patrol received an Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) notification of a possible suspended driver. A subsequent traffic stop revealed that the male drive driver, a resident of Belleville, Ontario, was in fact suspended and was also breaching conditions of multiple court issued Release Orders. Police arrested the male, later releasing him on an Appearance Notice as well as a Provincial Summons with a court date in late January 2021.

December 11th, 2020

On the evening of December 11, 2020, Gananoque Police were conducting a R.I.D.E check at the north end of Stone Street North, when a vehicle intentionally sped through the check point, forcing officers out of the roadway. The driver led police on a vehicle pursuit that continued onto Highway 401 where the driver finally pulled over. A local Gananoque man was identified as the lone vehicle driver and he was arrested and charged criminally for flight from police, dangerous operation of a conveyance, breach of probation, as well as driving while suspended. His vehicle was seized for 45 days as per the Vehicle Impoundment Program (VIP) authority, and he was later released on an Undertaking as well as a Provincial Summons to appear in court in late January 2021 to answer to all charges.

December 5th, 2020

The Gananoque Police responded to a residential break and enter just prior to midnight on December 5th. Officers attended on scene and located a 36-year-old man within the residence. The male was arrested and charged with break and enter with intent and one count of failing to comply with a condition of his undertaking. The male was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

December 3rd, 2020

In the evening hours of December 3rd, 2020, officer on patrol observed a pickup truck bearing plates that expired in 2019. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer observed obvious signs of impairment and detected a strong odour of an alcoholic beverage. The driver provided breath samples registering over the legal limit.

The 53 year old male from Virgil, Ontario was subsequently charged with Operation While Impaired and released on an Appearance Notice for Brockville Court, along with a 90 day Automatic Drivers Licence Suspension and Vehicle Impound.


We would like to remind everyone to please enjoy the holiday season responsibly. Police will be conducting Festive R.I.D.E. Programs throughout the holiday season.

Plan ahead if you plan to drink – use a Designated Driver, call for a ride from friends, call a taxi or stay overnight.

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.