August was a busy month for the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) in Burlington. Thirteen Burlington residents were charged as a result of a variety of incidents impacting our community.
R.I.D.E. initiatives resulted in two Burlington drivers being charged with operation of a motor vehicle while impaired and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg or more (Aug. 14 at approximately 10 a.m. and Aug. 15 at approximately 4:30 p.m.).
A serious motor vehicle collision around 9:15 p.m. on Aug. 19 resulted in a male cyclist being struck. The driver failed to remain at the scene. Information from a witness resulted in a Burlington driver being charged with failure to stop after an accident causing bodily harm, operation of a conveyance (i.e. something used for transportation) while impaired and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg/100 ml of blood and above.
Another collision on August 7 in the area of Cedar Springs Road and Britannia Road resulted in a Carlisle resident being charged. On August 21, in the area of Rankin Drive and Regal Road, a collision resulted in a Burlington resident being charged with operation of a motor vehicle while impaired and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg or more. On August 23, a collision at Dundas Street and Millcroft Park Drive resulted in a New York resident being charged.
Seven citizen-initiated complaints resulted in charges of operation of a motor vehicle while impaired; one Burlington resident and six non-Burlington residents were charged. Thank you to those who made these complaints. Traffic stops in Burlington on August 7, 11, and 23 resulted in one Burlington resident and two non-residents being charged with driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mg or more.
A drug investigationconcluded with six arrests and multiple charges for five Burlington residents and one Oakville resident. Police seized drugs such as fentanyl and cocaine, two pellet guns, and stolen bicycles that police believe were taken at or near GO stations in Burlington.
TheProject Icarusdrug investigation started in October 2020 and grew to become a joint operation with the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, Peel Regional Police, and the Canada Border Services Agency. Twelve people have been arrested, including two from Burlington, 44 charges were laid, and an extensive organized group was identified.The project resulted in the removal of a significant quantity of drugs and firearms from our streets, including 27 kg of cocaine, 15 kg of ecstasy (MDMA), two Glock handguns, a shotgun, 1100 rounds of ammunition, and more than 1000 kg of cannabis. Other items seized include opioids (fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine), and over $100,000 in currency, jewelry, and motor vehicles.
Four people were arrested as a result of a break and enter investigation in Burlington. None of the suspects live in Burlington. On August 16, 2021, at approximately 4:30 a.m., three suspects broke into the Shoppers Drug Mart at 4524 New Street (at the Appleby Line intersection). The suspects stole numerous fragrance bottles and fled the store. Officers determined that the stolen items were being stored at a Mississauga residence and identified a fourth male trafficking drugs in Mississauga. Four suspects were arrested as a result of the investigation.Seized items included approximately $15,000 in fragrances, a handgun, ammunition, crack cocaine, and fentanyl.
On August 26, HRPS and community partners unveiled the HRPS Black Heritage Police Cruiser (see photo). The design was submitted as part of a design contest and was conceived of by the Queen of Heaven Catholic Elementary School’s Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism and Equity (iDARE) Committee. The quote on the cruiser reads “Black History is not just for Black People. Black History is Canadian History,” a quote from Dr. Jean Augustine. Augustine was the first African Canadian to be elected as a Member of Parliament.
Project Safe Start 2021 launches August 30 and runs until September 10, focusing on education, awareness, and high-visibility enforcement of traffic laws throughout the region. Halton residents ranked traffic concerns as their #1 policing priority and the long weekend and back-to-school season is perfect timing for taking extra care.
This article is based on e-updates provided by the Halton Regional Police Service that include Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville. If you would like regular updates, subscribe to Community Notifications at https://www.haltonpolice.ca/en/news-and-updates/community-notifications.aspx. All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source:
Halton Regional Police Service, 2021. Project Safe Start 2021 to Launch Across Halton. Url: https://www.haltonpolice.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?FeedId=76b83025-f7b4-48fe-b76e-0a45f8c4680e&newsId=dbe90211-e537-4e77-86bd-337421aeb0fb (accessed Aug. 30. 2021).
