January 19th 2010

From January 1^st 2010 until January 17^th 2010, Shelburne Police responded to 143 calls for service.  Below are the highlights of calls for service.

Male Arrested for Criminal Harassment

On January 2^nd 2010, Shelburne Police were contacted and entered into  harassing investigation.  As a result of the investigation, 41-year-old Todd Russell of Hamilton was arrested and charged with Criminal Harassment.  He was held in custody for a bail hearing.

Female Arrested for not Abiding by Conditions of Release

On January 10^th 2010, Shelburne Police attended an address on Main Street in regards to a complaint.  As a result, police located and arrested 20-year-old Brittany Clarkson of Shelburne.  She had been previously arrested and released on conditions not to communicate with the resident on Main Street.  She was released on conditions and given a court date in Orangeville.

R.I.D.E. Program Results in Drug Arrest

On January 16^th 2010, Shelburne Police were conducting a R.I.D.E. program on Main Street and observed a vehicle turn off on Simon Street.  Police stopped and located the vehicle.  During the traffic stop, the driver attempted to discard a bag of marijuana behind the vehicle.  As a result, 25-year-old, Darren Manuge of Kitchener.  He was released and given a court date in Orangeville.

New Highway Traffic Fines

Fines for a range of traffic infractions rose significantly starting on January 1^st 2010.  Some of the penalties are quadrupling for major offences.  Below are only some of the increased fines:

• Seat Belt violations jumping from $110 to $240

• Child Seat Restraint tickets increasing from $110 to $240

• Red Light violations are increasing from $110 to $325

• Red Light violations in a Community Safety Zone, including school zones will jump from $140 to $490

• Drivers who fail to stop for an emergency vehicle increasing from $110 to $490

Police also want to remind motorists that October 26, 2009 a law was passed making it illegal for drivers to use hand-held cell phones, BlackBerrys and other electronic devices while behind the wheel.

Drivers are forbidden to use hand-held devices to talk, text or email while behind the wheel, or to use portable video games or DVD players.

Emergency services vehicles are exempt from the ban on talking using hand-held devices. As well, calls by motorists to 911 are exempt.

Hands-free cell phones remain legal, and global positioning systems (GPS) are allowed if they’re secured to the dashboard.

Officers have been warning anyone caught using a cell phone, however this will change after January 31^st 2010.  Any driver caught talking or texting on a cell phone could be facing charges up to $500.00