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FROM/DE : SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY OPP DATE: MARCH 11, 2025

UPDATE I - Southern Georgian Bay OPP Highway Detachment Temporarily Closed to Public

Completion Time Increased

The Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment would like to inform the public that the completion time of service work to the Highway 12 Detachment has been extended. Due to this, members of the public who require in person services are asked to continue to attend the downtown sub-office located at 250 Second Street, Midland until further notice.

If you require police services, you may continue to use the phone outside of the Highway 12 detachment in addition to the phones outside of our Downtown Midland and Penetanguishene offices. Alternatively, you can call 1-888-310-1122 for 24/7 non-emergent service.

If you require administrative services, you can attend the detachment at 250 Second Street, Midland from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:00am - 4:30pm.

A notification will be released once full service at the Highway 12 Detachment has been restored. We apologize for the inconvenience to the community.

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Media Officer

Provincial Constable David Hobson

///relations.fatigue.appraise

T-705-733-5440 E- david.hobson@opp.ca

Social Media OPP Central Region X / OPP Central Region Facebook / OPP Central Region Instagram

Learn more about the CAMSafe program and to register security cameras please visit https://camsafe.ca/


FROM: SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY OPP DATE: MARCH 3, 2025

Southern Georgian Bay OPP Highway Detachment Temporarily Closed to Public

Further Options Available for Service



(MIDLAND, ON) The Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police would like to notify the public of the temporary suspension of reception of the public at the Highway Detachment located at 16864 Highway 12 in the Town of Midland. Service is currently being performed which prohibits entry to the front of the building. Detachment officers continue to provide public safety services to the communities as they always have, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are dispatched by calling the OPP Communication Center at 1-888-310-1122 or 911 for emergent calls for service.

The public will be notified when reception at the detachment is restored.

Anyone requiring support in person is welcome to attend the downtown Southern Georgian Bay detachment located at 250 Second Street in the Town of Midland. Direct phone contact to the OPP Communication Centre is also available to the public at phone kiosks located at both of the above mentioned locations as well as at the rear of the Town of Penetanguishene office at 12 Robert Street in the Town of Penetanguishene.

Anyone requiring a Criminal Record Check is reminded that they are only available through an online application process at opp.ca/recordchecks . You can also contact the OPP online to file a report of a minor crime at https://opp.ca/index.php?id=132 and follow the prompts.

If you have any information regarding a crime in the community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or you can submit your information online at Crime Stoppers of Simcoe-Dufferin-Muskoka. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous.

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Media Contact

Constable Aaron Coulter

Southern Georgian Bay OPP

705-528-4018

aaron.coulter@opp.ca

FROM/DE : Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: March 10, 2025

CAFC BULLETIN: UNCOVERING FRAUD - LIFTING THE LID OFF THE FRAUDSTER'S TOOLBOX

March is Fraud Prevention Month

(MIDLAND,ON)- Members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) are continuing to raise the awareness for North Simcoe residents of the various scams that they may encounter on the telephone or online.

March is Fraud Prevention Month #FPM2025, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) will focus on uncovering fraud-revealing the tactics criminals use to create convincing identities, impact on victims and what we are doing to fight fraud. Fraudsters are experts at disguising themselves and creating false identities to manipulate, deceive, and steal from their victims. By exposing these deceptive practices, we aim to empower Canadians to spot fraud before it happens.

Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using advanced tools and tactics to deceive their victims. This week, we're diving into the tools of the trade that fraudsters rely on, with a focus on social engineering, emerging technologies, and fraudulent documents. Understanding their methods is the first step in protecting yourself, family and loved ones.

We have compiled a list and explanation of some of the most common tools we found in the fraudster's toolbox:

Social engineering

Fraudsters are masters of exploiting human psychology. They rely on emotional manipulation, creating scenarios that push victims to act without thinking which puts them in a vulnerable situation. Common tactics include:

• Phishing: Sending fake emails or messages that appear to be from trusted organizations to steal personal or financial information.

• Impersonation fraud: Pretending to be someone you trust, such as a government official, tech support, or a family member in distress.

• Urgency and fear: Creating a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions, such as paying a fake bill or providing confidential information.

Technological tools

As technology continues to evolve, so do the fraudsters' tactics. They leverage tools such as:

• Dark web resources: Fraudsters use the dark web to buy and sell stolen data, fake identities, and malware tools.

• Artificial intelligence (AI): AI tools can generate realistic voices, deepfake videos, and convincingly fake text, making fraud harder to detect.

• Spoofing software or websites: Technology that allows fraudsters to mimic legitimate phone numbers, emails, or websites.

Fake identification (ID) and documents

Fraudsters often use fake IDs, passports, and other documents to carry out their frauds. These tools can be used to:

• commit ID fraud

. open fraudulent accounts

. account takeovers

. apply for loans

. apply for credit cards and cellphones

. government benefit fraud

• bypass verification processes

• make them appear credible in all types of fraud

Warning signs - How to protect yourself

• Be wary of unexpected requests for personal or financial information. Take a moment to verify the source

• Learn to recognize the signs of phishing, impersonation, and all types of fraud. Don`t forget to share what you learn with family members and loved ones

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible

• Regularly check your financial and online accounts for unauthorized activity

• If your personal information has been compromised (identity theft), follow the steps listed on the CAFC website to protect yourself from being a victim of identity fraud

Anyone who suspects they have been the target of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the CAFC's online or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

Thank you,

CAFC Team

partners@antifraudcentre.ca

Fraud: Recognize. Reject. Report.

#kNOwFraud

Follow us on Twitter cid:image001.png@01DA64B6.F7C59EC0 (@canantifraud) and Facebook cid:image002.png@01DA64B6.F7C59EC0 (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre)

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FROM/DE SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY DETACHMENT DATE: March 9, 2025

OPP Seeking Assistance in Theft of Snowmobile

(TAY TOWNSHIP,ON)- Investigators from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment are seeking assistance from the public in their investigation into the theft of a snowmobile during the dark hours of March 7-8, 2025 in Tay Township.

The OPP Communication Centre received a call on March 8, 2025, from the owner reporting that his snowmobile had broken down and was left on the ice near Methodist Island north of Victoria Harbour on Georgian Bay at 8:45 p.m. March 7, 2025 and was gone upon the complaints return the following day.

The snowmobile is described as being a 2017 Ski-Doo Renegade "Back County" black in colour bearing Ontario registration 3AM148 and serial number 2BPSUGHB7HV000002, a cracked side panel which had been riveted together, approximately 3200 kilometers on the odometer. (See attached two photographs)

Anyone who may have information or surveillance footage about this theft (OPP Incident # E250277935) is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, opp.southern.georgian.bay@opp.ca or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit your anonymous information online at https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip. You can follow Crime Stoppers of Simcoe Dufferin Muskoka www.crimestopperssdm.com on X or Facebook.

Homeowners and businesses should considering signing up for the CAMSafe program. Learn more about the CAMSafe program and to register security cameras please visit https://camsafe.ca/

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Media Officer

Provincial Constable David Hobson

///relations.fatigue.appraise

T-705-733-5440 E- david.hobson@opp.ca

Social Media OPP Central Region X / OPP Central Region Facebook / OPP Central Region Instagram

Learn more about the CAMSafe program and to register security cameras please visit https://camsafe.ca/

FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: March 5, 2025

Half Loads for Commercial Vehicles Now in Effect on Some North Simcoe Roadways

(MIDLAND,ON) - Members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment would like to remind heavy commercial vehicle operators that a number of area municipalities in North Simcoe have enacted the annual seasonal half load restriction on their roadways as has the Province of Ontario on selected roadways.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, the province enforces reduced load restrictions on trucks to protect Ontario's highways during spring thaw, when road damage is most likely to occur.

Seasonal axle weight restrictions are currently in effect from March 1 - April 30, 2025. Check with the municipality that you are working in or the following site - https://511on.ca/list/seasonalloads?lang=en for further information.

Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired driver or operator please "Make the Call" and dial 911 and help prevent a crash. If you are heading out on the town, please make a plan to get home safely.

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Provincial Constable David Hobson

Media Officer

705-733-5440

david.hobson@opp.ca

FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: March 5, 2025

Uncertain Weather Leads into Another Snowmobiling Weekend In North Simcoe

(MIDLAND,ON) - Members of the snowmobile patrol attached to the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment were out over the past weekend and into the mid-week patrolling the amazing trails here in North Simcoe,

Officers on sleds checked snowmobilers for equipment, required licences, registration and trail passes where applicable. Officers also conducted six separate reduce impaired driving everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs checking over 100 snowmobilers for signs of impairment in an effort to maintain trail safety.

With a balance between rider education and enforcement in mind, officers deal with issues found on the trails on a daily basis under some extreme weather conditions and welcome your cooperation on the many trails here in North Simcoe..

No crashes were reported or investigated during this time frame
Officers stress that the following points are very important to follow as we edge toward the end of the snowmobile season on trails that are beginning to depreciate.

Ride in control and to the trail conditions
Obey the posted speed limit.
Never, ever drive impaired
No Ice is Safe Ice
With uncertain weather leads into another snowmobiling weekend In North Simcoe, snowmobilers planning to head out on the OFSC trail system this weekend would be well advised to check on the following website link to ensure the trail is open for use - Snowmobiling Ontario

As March starts to slide by bringing warmer, rainy days, area ice surfaces may not be up to expectations for ice surface travel by foot or by machine. Always remember that, "No Ice Is Safe Ice" and to check the ice surface or inquire with local residents, ice hut operators, weather stations or any other reliable source before heading out and possibly going through into the frigid waters below. Ultimately, you may be risking your life, the lives of others possibly with you and that of emergency service responders tasked to rescue you, or worse to locate and remove you from the lake. https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641

All drivers /riders/operators should be aware that the O.P.P. R.I.D.E. program checks are conducted 24/7 all year long. The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads & trails through enforcement and public education so riders can expect to see OPP officers on the trail system during day time & night time hours. Also, it can be expected that uniform road patrol officers will be conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at trail heads. The Detachment also works with area safety partners such as MADD Canada, Arrive Alive, The North Simcoe Safe and Sober Awareness Committee and area snowmobile clubs, Georgian Bay Snow Riders (GBSR) and the Baxter Snow Riders (BSR) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including floater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces. It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" . Self rescue maybe your only way out for reasons depicted in the following link - https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641