Community Column by Don Butt (June 2015)

Town of Mono, ON (Don Butt) A few weeks ago we mentioned that we would be concentrating on our ROAD WATCH program this year and the area we are really concerned about is that long stretch of straight Highway from Primrose to Orangeville. Our members and others tell us horror stories about this section of road and the accident stats certainly bear out their concerns.

 There seems to be a tendency to speed as soon as a long stretch of open road comes up. It is neither smart or safe so please bear this in mind. Here at Mono Community Policing we are trying to come up with strategies to combat this serious problem. If you, our readers, come up with any ideas please pass them along to us. One idea we have passed on to the Police Services Board is to put one or more radar operated units to register speeds on the road. The life you save could be your own or a loved one so please be safe!

This is the time of year that people will be taking holidays so act accordingly to protect your place when you are away. Don’t leave things outside. Put every thing you can away and make sure storage buildings and garages are locked and secure. Be sure to tell at least one neighbour you will be away, what dates, and leave a number if possible where you can be reached. If you are going to be away for any length of time, let your local police know. They will usually have a check of your home added to their patrols. If you have an alarm system, the monitoring company should also know. Have a great worry-free holiday!

Safety Tip
Avoid stopping on the shoulder of a freeway except in absolute emergencies. (This tip comes to you courtesy of Doug Annett and the Skid Control School at Oakville ON, www.skidcontrolschool.com)

Phone Nos. (a list of valuable numbers to have)
For all emergencies – 911
To report non emergency incidents or bad drivers 1-800-310-1122
Or by cell phone only *677

ROAD WATCH
To report unsafe driving behaviour contact OPP Communications Centre:
*OPP (*677) on your Cell or
1-888-310-1122 on your Landline.
If you prefer a paper form, our forms are available at Mono Plaza and OPP at Primrose. Please use them, the life you may save could be your own or a loved one.

Don Butt is currently the Public Relations and Media Contact for the Mono Community Policing Committee. If you would like more information on anything covered in Don’s Column or would like to see a topic of public interest or safety covered; post a comment below.