OPP detachment commander addresses Council’s concerns

Craig Bakay | Nov 08, 2017

At the request of Addington Highlands Council, Napanee OPP detachment commander Insp. Pat Finnegan and SSgt. Dawn Ferguson were at Council’s regular meeting in Flinton Monday to discuss a number of Township concerns.
First up was the legalization of marijuana.

“Police aren’t ready for this,” said Finnegan. “We don’t even have a roadside device (for detecting the presence of marijuana in a person’s bloodstream).
“The one we thought we’d be using was giving false positives.”

Finnegan went through the various aspects of the Cannabis Act — possession of up to 30 grams by those 19 or older (in Ontario, the federal age is 18), cultivation of up to four plants and where it can be legally sold.
“It’s my understanding that you will be able to buy it online until government dispensaries are open,” he said. “Current illegal outlets will still be illegal.
“I don’t think you’ll have a government outlet in Addington Highlands, the closest one will probably be Kingston but I don’t think you’ll get Air Miles there.”
When it came to police vehicles travelling at excessive speed when responding to calls, Finnegan said: “We stress the ‘arrive alive’ mantra.

“If you don’t get there safely, you can’t assist anyone at the emergency and if you become involved in a collision, emergency services are then required in two locations.”
He said that in his 10 years as inspector “we haven’t had anybody hurt” and that when estimating speeds without the use of a speed measuring device “the rate of speed is always perceived to be higher than it actually is.”
He also said that all OPP vehicles are equipped with GPS and monitored. If a vehicle is seen to be going over 150 kph, the vehicle is flagged on the computer and officers are accountable for their driving decisions,
Ferguson said that billable calls for service hours are down, with the exception of mental health calls which increased. However, she said much of that increase (12 of 26 calls) were due to one elderly female resident.
A question of a refund due to decreased billable hours by Coun. Bill Cox was met with silence.

Chief Building Official Ken Buxton said that they’re looking into a solution for the water pooling problem on the roof of the Denbigh Medical Centre and roads supervisor Brett Reavie said that it’s time to spend the money that’s been set aside ($6,000) for a water tank at the Denbigh rink to compensate for the well’s low flow rate.

Council gave final reading to a passed both its waste disposal and orderly addressing of properties/appropriate naming of roads bylaws.

Council will respond to the North Frontenac Development Task Force’s request for an information kiosk at the Northbrook Garage property.
“I think it’s a good idea but we don’t really want people stopping there,” said Coun. Bill Cox. “Perhaps somewhere in the hamlet.”