Police Blotter

NOVEMBER TRAFFIC ACTION PLAN

Cornwall, ON- The Cornwall Community Police Service’s Traffic Action Plan for the month of November will consist of targeted enforcement on Intersection related violations, such as improper turns, failing to stop for amber lights, failing to stop for red lights and stop signs violations.  

 Fines for these offences are as follows,

 Section 141(2) or (6) H.T.A   

Improper Turn

Fine $110, 2 demerit points

 Section 136(1)(a) H.T.A        

Disobey Stop Sign- fail to stop

Fine $110, 3 demerit points

 Section 144(15) H.T.A           

Amber Light- fail to stop

Fine $180, 3 demerit points

 Section 144(18) H.T.A.          

Red Light- fail to stop/ proceed before green

Fine $325, 3 demerit points

Federal Appeals Court Holds 124 Pounds of Marijuana Admissible in Criminal Trial.

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that in the case of United States v. Eric C. Wilson, docket no. 11-915, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed a United States District Court decision suppressing 124 pounds of marijuana that was seized from the trunk of a car near the United States – Canadian border on January 28, 2010. The seizure gave rise to a federal indictment charging Wilson with possessing with the intent to distribute fifty kilograms or more of marijuana. The indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The District Court (Hon. David N. Hurd, United States District Judge) suppressed the evidence based upon its finding that the officers stopped the car beyond the boundaries of the Reservation, and that the Sergeant failed to comply with the ICE approval procedures for the exercise of his authority as a customs officer. The district court’s decision is reported at United States v. Wilson, 754 F. Supp. 2d 450 (N.D.N.Y. Dec. 8, 2010). The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that “the stop was justified by probable cause to believe that Wilson had entered the United States in violation of law” and that the Sergeant was a validly designated customs officer authorized to effect the stop, so his failure to follow an internal ICE policy did not give rise to a Fourth Amendment violation. The Court of Appeals also held that there was probable cause to search the car for marijuana smuggled over the border.

The Court of Appeals remanded the case to the District Court for the entry of an order denying Wilson’s motion to suppress the evidence. The next step is for the case to be set for trial.

CRIME PREVENTION WEEK

November 4th to 10th, 2012

          Cornwall, ON- November 4th to the 10th, 2012, has been designated as Crime Prevention Week in Ontario.   This special week reminds us that our local police officers are working to ensure the community has a safer tomorrow.  This year’s theme “Engaged Communities Prevent Crime” will enhance our joint efforts to create safer and stronger communities in Ontario. 

 The majority of people practice basic crime prevention strategies without giving it a lot of thought. We lock the doors when we leave our homes or take the keys when we park the car. Yet many of us fail to take what in many cases are obvious crime prevention measures because we routinely underestimate the risk of a common crime occurring.

 Before a crime can happen, three things must be present. There must be a victim, criminal desire and crime opportunity. Crime opportunity is the pivotal factor because it acts as the trigger for a criminal event and ultimately brings the criminal together with the victim or their property.

The Cornwall Community Police Service has partnered with several agencies and groups that work together to engage the community to prevent crime: Neighbourhood Watch programs, Mobile Community Watch Volunteers, Schools and School Boards, Victim Services, SNAP Cornwall Program, and several others. Along with these partners the CCPS engage in public safety and crime prevention all year long.