Police cruiser crashes, burns on Mile Hill

NEWS RELEASES

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

SAULT STE. MARIE POLICE SERVICE

************************* 2:30 p.m. update - Hwy 17 closed for five hours due to police cruiser crash

AWERES TWP - Hwy 17 north of Sault Ste. Marie was closed Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. due to a police vehicle crash.

A southbound marked police Chev Tahoe lost control on the top of Mile Hill north of Sault Ste. Marie on slushy and icy roads.

The vehicle struck the rock cut on the west side of the highway and burst into flames.

The officer operating the vehicle was treated and released from Sault Area Hospital with minor injuries.

The crash is under investigation by north east region traffic and marine unit assisted by Sault Ste. Marie detachment officers and a technical traffic collision investigator.

************************* 1 p.m. update

Both lanes are now open to traffic.

************************* Original release - 8:28 a.m.

Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police advise of the following road advisory:

Location: Highway #17 at Mile Hill

Brief Description of Event: As the result of single motor vehicle accident Hwy #17 at Mile Hill is closed from the top of Mile Hill to the bottom of Mile Hill.

Detour (if available): Small traffic - Hwy. #556 to Hwy #552

Estimated duration of road advisory: Unkown

Please do not call OPP Provincial Communication Centres for road advisory updates or road condition information.

*************************** Police Week - May 9 to 15

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will once again be participating in Police Week, which runs from May 9 to May15 in Ontario.

Police Week is dedicated to increasing community prevention awareness and recognition of policing services in the community.

In holding this event the Police Service hopes to strengthen partnerships between police and the community.

The theme for Police Week this year is “Building Partnerships for a Safer Community” which focuses on heightening community awareness and promoting collaboration between young people to keep our communities safe through crime prevention, preparedness and social development.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service plays an essential role in preventing crime in Sault Ste. Marie.

We’re committed to ensuring a strong and positive relationship between the police and the community.

Police Week 2010 will be marked in Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township with the traditional displays and opening ceremonies at the Station Mall.

The opening ceremonies will commence on Tuesday May 11 at 11 a.m. in the food court.

Some of the agencies that will be participating in this year’s Police Week include the Sault Ste Marie Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Batchewana First Nation Police Service, the Anishinabek Police Service, the Canadian and United States Border Services, Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Some of the successful crime prevention programs and community support partners that will be participating include, Crime Stoppers, Sault Search and Rescue, the Children’s Aid Society, Women in Crisis, Victim Services of Algoma, Sexual Assault Care Centre, Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance, Operation Springboard, Kids Hope, the United Way and the Ken Brown Recovery Home.

This year during Police Week, some of the involved participants will be providing information lectures in a storefront located across the food court.

Interested persons can check the event schedules on the Station Mall Web site at www.thestationmall.com.

Chief Davies (shown) advises that: “Police Week is an excellent opportunity for our Police Service to share the work we have undertaken to make Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township safe places to live and raise our families. We need the support of every resident to reach this goal. We also want young people to consider reaching out for a career in law enforcement. I strongly encourage the public to attend Station Mall from May 11 to the 13 and speak to those agencies and organizations that are involved in making our community safer.”

Help us provide more effective policing in our community.

Come out and see how you, too, can make a difference.

Support your police during Police Week, and all year long and help make our community a safe, strong and prosperous community.

Also on Friday, May 14 at 11:45 a.m. the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will be honouring staff members at the annual Police Exemplary Service Awards ceremony to be held at Giovanni’s Restaurant and on Wednesday the 26th of May, the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Officer of the Year Annual Awards luncheon at 11:45 a.m. at Algoma’s Water Tower Inn.

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