Current News Releases

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.

November 23rd, 2020

On November 23, 2020, the Gananoque Police Service was contacted from the owner of a construction company from Manitoba. Police were advised that a company vehicle was being operated unlawfully by a former employee. The employee had quit, failed to return it, and made comments to the owner that they had no intentions of doing so. Subsequent investigation resulted in police locating and seizing the vehicle. As a result of the investigation a 36-year-old male from Manitoba was charged and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

November 24th, 2020

On the afternoon of November 24th, 2020, the Gananoque Police Service and Leeds Granville Paramedics attended a local school after a report of an assault on a student. Witness statements and further investigation resulted in the arrest of a Gananoque youth who was subsequently charged with Assault, Assault with a Weapon and Utter Threats to Cause Death. The youth is scheduled to appear in court at a later date. The victim was transported to hospital for further assessment and treatment.

November 20th, 2020

On the evening of November 20th, 2020, Gananoque Police responded to a request from Paramedics to assist with a motor vehicle accident and a possible impaired driver. On route to the call, Officers were advised the male suspect drove his truck off the road and into the ditch. He had a brief interaction with witnesses before fleeing into the woods. Upon arrival, with the assistance of Paramedics, the male driver was located hiding in the brush nearby. He was arrested for impaired driving and escorted to the Gananoque Police Station without incident.

A 35-year-old Gananoque male was subsequently charged for Impaired Operation of a Conveyance and Refusing to Comply with a Demand from an Officer. His vehicle was impounded for 7 days and his drivers license is suspended for 90 days, pending criminal proceedings.

November 14th, 2020

On November 14, 2020 officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcycle that did not have license plates. The vehicle was followed and upon emergency lights being activated by the officer, the motorcycle fled at a high rate of speed failing to stop for police and failing to stop at a red light. Officers discontinued for public safety reasons. As a result of the investigation officers identified and located the driver and motorcycle at a residence in Gananoque. Officers arrested a 31-year-old male from Inverary. The male was charged and is scheduled to appear in court in Brockville for; Drive suspended, Dangerous Operation of a motor vehicle and flight from police.

November 15th, 2020 - Winter Parking Bylaw

The Gananoque Police Service would like to remind citizens that Winter Parking begins November 15th, and runs until April 1st. No vehicles may be parked on the street between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Vehicles left on the street may be ticketed. Further should the vehicle be interfering with snow removal it may also be towed at the owners expense.

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.