Multiple Police Services Receive $492,000 In Ontario Government Grant To Combat and Prevent Auto Thefts

The Ontario Government has invested $492,609.94 over three years to help the Ontario Provincial Police - Central Highway Safety Division, Rama First Nations Police Services and the Peterborough Police Service to combat and prevent auto thefts, announced at the Fisher Drive carpool lot on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; OPP Inspector Chris Galeazza and OPP Staff Sargeant John Buligan at the Fisher Drive Carpool Lot. Car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023, when compared to the same period last year according to the Ontario Government. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This collaborative partnership between police services will help will give officers the tools needed to fight auto theft between Peterborough and Rama First Nations,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Car thefts within this community are happening at alarming rates and this is unacceptable. We must stay one step ahead of these thefts and this investment will assist law enforcement in getting these criminals off the street and keeping vehicles safe and secure.”

The funding is part of the provincial government’s new Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant program designed to support new and enhanced crime-fighting measures. It focuses on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement. In total, 21 police projects across the province are receiving funding for an investment of $18 million over three years in the fight against auto theft, according to a press release.

From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto thefts across the province and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone, according to the Ontario government. They also claim that car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023 compared to last year in the same timeframe.

“This investment will make a difference in combatting auto theft, and we are happy to support our law enforcement colleagues in addressing this issue,” said Chief Stuart Betts of the Peterborough Police Service. “What people don’t realize is that auto theft in itself is serious and can lead to other serious crimes in our community. We see this grant as a way to continue to ensure public safety in Peterborough and surrounding areas.”

The funding will aid the police in special training and increase public awareness.

“This will allow the policing community to work collaboratively with industry stakeholders to disrupt and suppress auto thefts,” said OPP Inspector Chris Galeazza. “The Peterborough County OPP Detachment has a close-working relationship with the Peterborough Police Service. We will work diligently to enhance our partnerships with our non-enforcement agencies and disrupt the threat posed by individuals and organized crime networks, leading to safe communities and a secure Ontario.”

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Lansdowne West and Webber TD Bank Closed After Vehicle Crashes into Building

Emergency crews respond to the TD Bank located on Lansdowne St. W. and Webber Ave. after reports of a vehicle crashing into the building.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

Posted at 11:07 a.m., Peterborough Scanner Feed shows a silver vehicle which struck the front of the bank. No injuries have been reported.

The branch is currently closed with their closest location open at 830 Monaghan Rd.

The story will be updated as more information is released.

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Ontario Government Provides Funding For Public Transit in Peterborough Under Gas Tax Program

The Ontario government is providing more money to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services in the County of Peterborough; giving $1,827,406 as part of the province’s gas tax program.

file photo.

“We know that municipal transit systems are essential to the success of our communities. They connect people and families to jobs, education, medical appointments, groceries and housing,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough- Kawartha. “Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government continues to step up to the plate to provide the funding municipalities need to ensure transit remains a safe and reliable option in communities across Ontario.”

Funding for the gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year. Municipalities that support public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected.

To make up for reduced gas sales due to ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s gas tax program includes one-time additional funding of $80 million to help ensure municipalities can continue to support their transit systems.

“Public transit is a key driver of economic growth in Ontario, helping people get to where they need to go, whether it is to work, school, or run errands. As more people return to public transit, our government is providing municipalities with the funding they need to accommodate growing ridership, while ensuring they can continue to deliver safe and reliable transit service for people in their communities,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.

Gas tax funding can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade local infrastructure.

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Peterborough Women Takes Home New Car in PTBO Crime Stoppers Annual Car Raffle Fundraiser

Barb Erskine of Peterborough drove away in a brand new Nissan Maxima on Thursday, which she had won in this year's Crime Stoppers car raffle fundraiser.

Barb Erskine takes the wheel for the first time of her 2022 Nissan Maxima Platinum Edition. Photo by Luke Best

The 2022 Nissan Maxima Platinum Edition purchased at Trans Canada Nissan was donated to Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers by Steve Daynes, the general manager of The Staffing Connection and Level A Professional Group. 

"I think it's important because I live in Peterborough and I want to support my community and make sure that it's safe,” said Daynes in a previous interview with PTBOCanada. “We have locations throughout the area of Peterborough and in Cobourg as a business and I want to make sure we give back to the communities that we serve."

Steve Daynes (Left) shakes hands with Erskine. Photo by Luke Best

With a value of roughly $50,000, Erskine never expected to win the car and saw the ticket purchase as more of a donation.

"Honestly, I was doing it for the cause. I'm very, very supportive of Crimestoppers. I really am," says Erskine.

Erskine was ticket #1347 of the 3110 sold. Because of Daynes' generous donation, Crime Stoppers raised just over $48,000 to fund their program.

Coming from driving a Toyota Corolla previously, Erskine was feeling a little nervous about the 300 horsepower.

Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations and fundraising efforts to keep the program running.

(L-R) Daynes, Detective Constable Keith Calderwood and Provincial Constable Greg Stokes congratulate Erskine on her win. Photo by Luke Best

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Lang Pioneer Village to Host 25th Annual Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show

Lang Pioneer Village is hosting its 25th annual Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show taking place at Lang Pioneer Village Museum on July 10 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village.

The event showcases antique and classic cars and vintage motorcycles from car enthusiasts across the province.

The Antique Bicycle Collectors of Ontario is showcasing their display of antique and rare bicycles in and around the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building (PCAHB). Additionally, the 50s to 80s music is being played with DJ Del and Jenny Jams.

The event also features the Transportation Barn, South Lkae Schoolhouse and Keene Hotel.

Registrants for car display are from 8 a.m. - noon with a $10 registration (with village admission included). The first 200 vehicles to enter will receive a complimentary dash plaque as a souvenir of their participation. Over 25 trophies will be awarded including the coveted People’s Choice and Lang’s Choice.

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First Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installed In Lakefield

Selwyn Township has announced its first electric vehicle charging station, as residents can now charge their electric cars in downtown Lakefield.

The electric vehicle charging station is located in the municipal parking lot beside The Village Inn of Lakefield.

Selwyn Township says on their Facebook page that the charging station is free-of-charge for an unknown period of time as part of a provincial initiative to promote electric/hybrid vehicles.

They add that appropriate signage will be installed in the Spring with more information about the station and that residents will be informed when the service is no longer free and how much it will cost.

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Help 3-Year-Old Kaleb Get His Beloved Car Back That He Just Received On His Birthday

A 3-year-old Lakefield boy named Kaleb just received an electric car for his birthday three weeks ago. Unfortunately, his beloved white and blue BMW i8 Spyder was stolen last weekend and his mother, Amanda Townsend, is trying to get the word out as best she can to get it back.

Kaleb In His Car

"It's his favourite thing in the world and he will be devastated when he finds out it's stolen," Amanda tells PTBOCanada.

She adds to PTBOCanada: "This car meant the world to my son. He always said he was 'just like daddy' while he drove it around the block. I'm a student, working part-time, and cannot afford to replace the car [it cost around $300] before he finds out. Moms are always trying to protect their children from seeing the bad in the world and I don't want him to find out like this. He's just a kid with a kind heart that has never done wrong to anyone."

Please spread the word on your social media channels.

For more information on Kaleb's stolen vehicle and contact info for Amanda, please see the info sheet she is distributing on social media below...

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A Peterborough Man Just Completed An Epic 21 Year Restoration On His 1971 SAAB 96 V4

Through amazing perservance, dedication—and help from others—Peterborough's Matt Stimpson might just have undertaken one of the longest (and furthest) car restorations in history.

Matt's Saab story begins in 1989 as an 18-year-old in Abingdon, Oxfordshire in the UK, when his father, Allan, bought him a 1971 SAAB 96 V4 in Tyrol Green colour.

Matt Stimpson as a teenager with his new Saab in Abingdon, Oxfordshire

"It was my first car—my father was a Motor Trader and found it for me," Matt tells PTBOCanada. "I drove it through my college years in the UK before rust got the better of it (they did suffer badly from underside rust), so the SAAB finally came off the road in 1994."

Stimpson as a teen behind the wheel with his father, Allan

The car was stored away for a number of years there, and Matt started to slowly take it apart. He then began the arduous task of collecting hard-to-get parts to put it back together.

"Ebay was great for getting all sorts of parts," Matt tells PTBOCanada. "Ironically, the hub caps came from a Canadian whilst the car was still in the UK." Other parts came from all over the world—Sweden, Holland, Germany, Hungary, UK, and the US.

The beautiful restored car pictured with the garage Matt built to house it

When Matt emigrated to Canada in 2005, he looked into how to get the car here. The Saab ended up being shipped in the rolling shell in the same container as their personal effects.

"The house we bought here in Peterborough on Weller St. didn’t have a garage so I had to build a 'new home' for it, so I could finish off the restoration," says Matt. "The house also needed a fair amount of work, so the Saab had to take a back seat whilst we knocked the house apart."

"The steering wheel was a 'barn find', Matt tells PTBOCanada, "a Les Leston Stirling Moss, extremely rare find. Someone offered me $1,000 for it a few years ago!"

But despite the life stages adulthood brings—marriage, work, home, kids, etc.—Matt stuck with it over the years and slowly but surely the Saab began the transformation into its original self. A re-birth, if you will.

Matt tells PTBOCanada: "Every nut and bolt has come off this car—the body stripped down to bare metal and everything has been powder-coated, painted or replated."

The beautiful restored engine

Help came from all over in Peterborough to realize Matt's dream of restoring his childhood car.

"CCS Industrials and Part Source have been great at finding some of the more obscure nuts and bolts for it," Matt tells PTBOCanada. "Jack’s Autobody on Erskine St. painted the panels and did a fantastic job on the colour match. A friend who is an expert in historic rallying helped get the engine (a German Ford V4) fired back into life—after sitting for two decades."

The Saab's Headliner was remade by the very talented Leslie Menagh and the seat foam—Saabs are known for their super comfy seats—came from Restwell. "They were very helpful in getting the correct density foam so the seats feel 'original'," Matt says.

Matt just recently ran his restored Saab (an extremely rare find in Canada these days) for the first time on the road after 21 years—"it was a quick run around the block to make sure everything works," he says.

Nonetheless, it was a great ride. A historic ride. With his son. Everything has come full circle. And next up? Well, he's going to retire it to the garage for winter before getting it back on the road in the Spring—and becoming a regular at Bridgenorth Cruise Night.

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These Retro Peterborough Police Car Pictures Are Pure Awesome

Thanks to Lauren Gilchrist, Media Relations and Communications Coordinator from Peterborough Police Service, for digging these gems from the police archives for us.

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