Current News Releases

October 30th, 2019

The Gananoque Police are investigating a disturbance involving a firearm. The incident occurred on Wednesday October 30th, 2019 between 9:30am – 10:30am near the intersection of William Street North and Cooper Alley in Gananoque.

Police are interested in speaking with anyone who may have information relating to the above noted incident. Witnesses can contact the investigator, Sergeant Rich Swann at 613-382-4509 or can provide anonymous information by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

October 2nd, 2019

The Gananoque Police were called to a local Group Home to a report that one of the youth residents assaulted staff. Officers attended and determined that a dispute broke out in the home resulting in the youth biting one staff member and attempting to punch another staff member. The 16-year-old youth was charged with two counts of assault and will appear in court at a later date.

October 4th, 2019

In early September the Gananoque Police received a complaint of a sexual assault that had been committed on a person under 16 years old. Following an investigation, a 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with one count each of sexual assault, criminal harassment and failing to comply with a condition of his undertaking. The youth was released and will appear in court at a later date.

October 13th, 2019

The Gananoque Police received a complaint of a suspicious male who was attempting to trade tools that he had in his possession for a ride to Kingston. Shortly after receiving the initial complaint, a second complaint was received reporting a break in and theft of tools. Police were able to locate the male and link the tools he had in his possession back to the break and enter. As a result of the investigation, a 29-year-old Kingston man was charged with one count each of break and enter, theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. The male was released from custody and will appear in court at a later date.

October 13th, 2019

Gananoque Police arrested a 76-year-old man from New York for Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance and Mischief under $5,000. The man attended at the Gananoque Police station and drove his vehicle through one of the garage doors located at the rear of the building. When questioned by police the man stated that he was homeless and wanted to go to jail. The man was charged accordingly and held in custody pending a bail hearing.

August 23rd, 2019

On August 23rd, 2019 while investigating a possible breach of a non-communication order, officers spoke with a 43 year old male from Brockville. Investigation revealed an outstanding warrant for the male from Kingston Police. The male was arrested and later turned over to officers from the Kingston Police.

August 27th, 2019

On August 27th, 2019 the Gananoque Police Service received a complaint of a youth who was failing to comply with conditions of his release. Officers attended and conducted an investigation. The youth was charged for Fail to Comply Undertaking and later released with conditions.

August 27th, 2019

On August 27th, 2019 the Napanee Detachment of the O.P.P. apprehended a 23 year old female on an outstanding Warrant of Committal (Surety Revocation) held by the Gananoque Police Service. The female was arrested and returned to Gananoque Police Service and held for bail court.

August 22nd, 2019

On August 22nd, 2019, after a 2-month online investigation, Officers with The Gananoque Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police Child Sexual Exploitation Unit identified a 31 years old male from Brampton, Ontario involved in a child luring and child pornography investigation. The victim was 13 years old. As a result of the evidence collected during the investigation, the male was arrested in Concord Ontario. Officers conducted search warrants in Brampton Ontario. York Regional Police and Peel Regional Police assisted in the investigation. The accused was returned to Gananoque and taken to Brockville Court to attend a bail hearing.

Charged is Anthony Christopher BOWERS – 31 years old from Brampton, Ontario.

(1) Luring a person under 16 by telecommunication for the purpose of facilitating the commission of a sexual assault – Section 172.1(1)(b) CC
(2) Luring a person under 16 by telecommunication for the purpose of facilitating the commission of an invitation to sexual touching – Section 172.1(1)(b) CC
(3) Luring a person under 16 by telecommunication for the purpose of facilitating the commission of the offence of exposure to a person under 16 – Section 172.1(1)(b) CC
(4) Luring a person under 16 by telecommunication for the purpose of facilitating the commission of the offence of making child pornography – Section 172.1(1)(b) CC
(5) Transmit/Send Sexually explicit material to a person under 16 years old – Section 171.1(1)(b) CC
(6) Transmit/Make Available Sexually Explicit Material to a person under 16 years old – Section 171.1(1)(b) CC
(7) Indecent Exposure to a person under 16 years old – Section 173(2) CC
(8) Makes, Prints, Publishes or Possess for the Purpose any child pornography – Section 163.1(2)

August 21st, 2019

Over the past 2 weeks the Gananoque Police Service has received multiple incidents of a person(s) attempting to pass counterfeit $100 US currency at local businesses. We remind businesses to be vigilant when accepting any large denomination currency.

Counterfeit Prevention Resources including training materials can be found at: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknot…/counterfeit-prevention/

August 15th, 2019

On August 15, 2019 the Gananoque Police Service received a complaint regarding a stolen bicycle.

The following day on August 16, 2019 Police were contacted regarding information on the whereabouts of the bike. Officers attended the location and recovered the stolen bicycle and arrested a male who was in possession of the property.

The male also had in his possession 2 throwing stars and a butterfly flick knife. Further investigation revealed the male was currently on two separate weapon prohibitions and on probation.

A 26 year old male from Kingston was arrested and charged with;
-theft and possession of stolen property
-carrying a concealed weapon
-possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
-unauthorized possession of a weapon
-fail to comply with probation order
-possession of weapon contrary to prohibition order

The male was held in custody pending a show cause hearing.

August 18th, 2019

On August 18, 2019 officers while on routine patrol, conducted a traffic stop - upon further investigation the male driver was on a recognizance of bail with conditions.

The 21 year old male from Kingston was arrested and charged with failing to comply with his recognizance of bail. The male was released to appear in court at a later date.

August 19th, 2019

The Gananoque Police Service has received several complaints regarding thefts from and damage to parked vehicles over the weekend.

The Police would like to remind residents not to leave valuable items in their vehicles and to ensure their vehicles are locked.

The Gananoque Police are interested in speaking with anyone who may have information relating to the above noted incidents. Witnesses can contact the Gananoque Police Service at 613-382-4422, or can provide anonymous information by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

August 15th, 2019

On August 11, 2019 The Gananoque Police Service commenced an investigation regarding a male that had committed an indecent act by masturbating and exposing himself in a public place. Police were contacted approx. 1 hour after the incident was observed, and the male was not located the night of the incident.

Further in the early morning hours of August 15, 2019 The Gananoque Police Service received a report of a male who was masturbating within a public place at an east end business. Officers located the male whose genitalia was covered by his sweater but fully exposed from his pants upon officer’s arrival. The male was arrested and taken into custody. As a result of several linking characteristics the male was identified as being the male from the August 11th incident.

As a result, the 21 year old male from Gananoque was charged with Indecent Act X 2, Fail to Comply Probation, Fail to Comply Officer In Charge Undertaking. The male is held in custody pending a bail hearing.

August 11th, 2019

The Gananoque Police Service is investigating a suspicious incident that was reported to police on August 11, 2019. It is reported between 7:30PM-8:30PM a male was observed in the area exhibiting concerning behaviours. The male is described as wearing blue T-shirt and gray sweatpants and was in the area of Water Street and Kate Street. If anyone observed the male please contact the Gananoque Police Service 613-382-4422.

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.