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The London Police Service is supporting the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police’s (OACP) 2014 Drive Safe! R.I.D.E. traffic safety campaign (#DriveSafeONT), which will focus on the dangers associated with driving under the influence of prescription medicines and illegal drugs – depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, cannabis, etc.

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Traffic Injury Prevention concluded that more than 10 per cent of drivers randomly pulled over for a survey tested positive for drug use compared to eight per cent who had been drinking alcohol. A 2012 study (http://ow.ly/wNop5) found a two-fold increase in the risk of an accident if there is any measurable amount of THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) in the bloodstream.

“We’re proud to support this important public safety campaign. Driving after consuming alcohol poses tremendous dangers for motorists, other drivers, and pedestrians. But choosing to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming certain prescription drugs or illegal substances can be just as dangerous,” said Sgt. Ryan Scrivens. “Not only are you putting yourself and others in physical danger, but legal consequences are just not worth the risk.”

The campaign features a public information booklet with information on driving while impaired (alcohol and drugs) as well as traffic collision reporting, protecting consumers from fraud, and Ontario’s racing, seat belt, and distracted driving laws. To download the new “The Eyes Have It: Stoned Driving is Impaired Driving” booklet, please visit www.oacp.ca.

Thefts from vehicles is a crime where we can all contribute with reducing the stats. Thieves who find a vehicle with locked doors and nothing visible inside, will generally move to another vehicle. This year, 1,223 thefts from vehicles have been reported to date.

From May 16 – 25, 2014, London is hosting the 2014 Mastercard Memorial Cup which has and will continue to draw thousands of people and vehicles to the downtown, and other areas of the city.

Even though some thefts from vehicles occur on private property, they are more targeted on parking lots where there is a high population of vehicles. Since Friday, May 16, 2014, there have been 50 reported thefts from vehicles.

On Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., a 21-year-old female from London who is known to police, was located in a vehicle parked in a lot on Dufferin Avenue. She was found to be in possession of property that was taken from vehicles nearby, which include a wallet belonging to one person and identification from another. There was no damage observed to these vehicles. She was charged with being in possession of the stolen property; amongst other offences.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 10:43 p.m., a male was observed by police looking into the windows of a vehicle. After interacting with the 47-year-old man from London, he was arrested and was found to be in possession of several flashlights and tools that are commonly used to break into vehicles and residences. He was subsequently charged with possessing break-in instruments and trespassing.

The London Police Service urges everyone to leave everything out of sight and to not leave anything of any potential value in vehicles. We also encourage all suspicious activities to be reported by calling 519-661-5670 or 911.