Latest news with #JeffWarner
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Safety alert in North Bay: carfentanil and fluorofentanyl found in drug supply
North Bay police said drugs believed to be carfentanil and fluorofentanyl may be present in the local illicit drug supply. Police in North Bay are issuing a high-priority safety alert after a recent investigation of an overdose uncovered two extremely dangerous drugs. That investigation found that carfentanil and fluorofentanyl may be present in the local illicit drug supply. Both are 'highly potent synthetic opioids' that are extremely dangerous and pose a significant risk to users, first responders, health care providers and the broader community. Drug warning North Bay police said drugs believed to be carfentanil and fluorofentanyl may be present in the local illicit drug supply. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Carfentanil is estimated to be 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10,000 times stronger than morphine. It is used legally only as a tranquilizer for large animals such as elephants and is not approved for human use. Fluorofentanyl is a variant of fentanyl, which is chemically altered with a fluorine atom and can be up to twice as potent as fentanyl. Like other variants, it is often found in counterfeit pills or mixed with other substances, making it especially dangerous. 'We know the damage that fentanyl does within the community and the people that die from fentanyl use.' — Acting deputy chief Jeff Warner 'We know the damage that fentanyl does within the community and the people that die from fentanyl use,' said acting deputy chief Jeff Warner. Carfentanil and fluorofentanyl are Schedule I substances under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and even a trace amount can cause death. Both can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, and may appear in powder, tablet, blotter or spray form. Police are warning that the drugs may be mixed with other opioids and street drugs like cocaine, meth or counterfeit tablets without the user's knowledge. 'These dangerous substances are circulating within our community in the illicit drug supply. Be careful if you are using,' Warner added. 'Between July 1 and Dec. 31 in 2024, the Toronto drug checking service found that carfentanil analogs were in 77 per cent of expected fentanyl samples.' Naxalone The health unit strongly urges people who use drugs to never use alone, only use needles once and then discard them safely in a sharps container or bin and always carry naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. (File) The latest statistics from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit said that as of Friday, 51 opioid-related overdoses have been recorded in Nipissing and Parry Sound and 10 people have died. Since 2021, 86 lives have been lost to opioid overdoses. 'In the bigger picture, we're seeing really since the beginning of the pandemic, our numbers have been significantly higher than the province,' Chris Bowes, the health unit's executive director of organizational effectiveness, said. 'That's a trend that we're seeing across the north.' The health unit strongly urges people who use drugs to never use alone, only use needles once and then discard them safely in a sharps container or bin and always carry naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. 'We do basic naloxone training and we also supply naloxone to the public,' Bowes said. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately, administer naloxone if available and stay with the person until help arrives.
CTV News
7 days ago
- CTV News
Man, woman charged with attempted murder in North Bay
The North Bay Police Service charged two people this week with attempted murder in connection with an assault and robbery that took place in January. (File) The North Bay Police Service charged two people this week with attempted murder in connection with an assault and robbery that took place in January. The 37-year-old man and 28-year-old woman remain in custody, police said, in connection with the Jan. 27 'targeted' attack in the West Ferris area of the city. 'The accused and co-accused now face numerous criminal charges in relation to the incident,' police said in a news release Thursday. Police responded at 5:21 a.m. on Jan. 27 to a report that a man had been 'severely assaulted.' Emergency responders found the victim, who had several head wounds and a serious arm injury. 'The male was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries,' police said. Arrested July 23 The criminal investigation section took over the case, working with the forensic identification unit and the OPP digital forensics unit. The accused and co-accused were identified and arrested July 23. The man is charged with attempted murder, robbery with violence, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and weapons possession. The woman is charged with attempted murder and robbery with violence. Both suspects are from North Bay. They are scheduled to appear in bail court later in the day Thursday. Acting deputy chief Jeff Warner described the incident as a 'horrific attack.' Warner praised investigators who 'painstakingly worked through the evidence.' 'Their efforts culminated in the arrest of the two accused, who are believed to have committed this horrific attack, along with the execution of multiple search warrants,' Warner said in the news release. 'These lengthy investigations further demonstrate our members' dedication and continued commitment to the community they serve.'
CTV News
24-06-2025
- CTV News
Northern Ont. man charged with posting hateful, antisemitic content online
A North Bay Police Service cruiser is seen in this 2025 file photo. A 51-year-old man from North Bay, Ont., has been charged with hate crimes following an investigation that began last November. A 51-year-old man from North Bay, Ont., has been charged with hate crimes following an investigation that began last November. He was charged June 20 following a seven-month probe by criminal investigators with the North Bay Police Service. The case began after police received 'reports of concern regarding the online content being produced by the accused,' police said in a news release this week. 'A lengthy investigation was undertaken during which multiple warrants were executed to further the investigation. A request was submitted to the Attorney General of Ontario seeking approval for the formal charges of wilful promotion of hatred and wilful promotion of antisemitism.' Hate crimes That request was approved, leading to the man's arrest last Friday. 'The North Bay Police Service recognizes the significant impact that hate-motivated incidents can have on the community and urges everyone to report incidents when they happen,' police said. 'This is an example of some of the great work being done by the officers in our criminal investigation section,' acting deputy chief Jeff Warner said in the news release. 'The North Bay Police Service is committed to doing our part to ensure North Bay remains an inclusive community and sending the message that hate has no place in today's society.' If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate-motivated incident, police said they should report it by calling 1-705-497-5555, and press '5' to speak to an officer. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
North Bay police open downtown office to increase its presence in the area
In an effort to boost visibility and deter crime, police in North Bay will operate an office in the city's downtown for at least the next six months. In an effort to boost visibility and deter crime, police in North Bay will operate an office in the city's downtown for at least the next six months. North Bay police have opened an office in the heart of the downtown. Located at 168 Main St. E, the office is part of Chief Daryl Longworth's plan to increase police presence in the area, which, in turn, will hopefully deter people from committing crimes. Downtown police3 Located at 168 Main St. E, the office is part of a plan to increase police presence in downtown North Bay and deter people from committing crimes. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) 'Calls for service down here have dropped a little bit and we're hoping to see that continue,' acting deputy chief Jeff Warner told reporters. 'We want our officers out on the street being visible. Every officer has a key for the building in their cruiser, and they can stop at any time.' The location is solely for patrol officers and isn't open to the public to report crimes. Police can use the space to complete reports, take a short break or get paperwork done without having to return to the main station headquarters. It's part of a six-month pilot project. Downtown police2 Located at 168 Main St. E, the office is part of a plan to increase police presence in downtown North Bay and deter people from committing crimes. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) 'This is a huge step in protecting the downtown and all the investments that have happened down here,' said Katie Bevan, downtown business owner and chair of the North Bay Downtown Improvement Area. In addition to the office, downtown foot and bike patrols are already back on this summer. 'Every platoon now at the beginning of the shift will assign one or two officers strictly to foot patrol,' Warner said. 'That doesn't mean they can always get down here. It depends on calls for service. We have dedicated bike patrol officers on every shift.' Warner said the added police presence will make criminals think twice before going downtown. Police had a downtown community hub-of-sorts in the 1990s and early 2000s. 'As a police services board member and all of our police services board members, we're 100 per cent in favour of getting this done and getting a presence downtown,' said Mayor Peter Chirico. Downtown North Bay is partnering with police on the project by covering the cost of rent for the six-month pilot. Executive director Amber Livingstone said they've already seen an increase in police presence after Longworth said he would send more foot patrols in the area. 'They track all of it,' Livingstone said. Livingstone Downtown North Bay executive director Amber Livingstone said they've already seen an increase in police presence after Longworth said he would send more foot patrols in the area (Eric Taschner/CTV News) 'They're able to give us stats on how many hours they've spent downtown. Many towns across our province and across the country are experiencing the same kinds of things. So, it's not unique to North Bay. Some of our residents may not be used to seeing it in your face and seeing how graphic it has become. It just shows that there's a change in the world.' Police will meet with the business community in the fall to re-evaluate the downtown office idea and see if it's worth keeping it open.
CBC
11-06-2025
- CBC
'You definitely can't arrest your way out of this': northeastern Ontario police not rushing to use new powers
Social Sharing While many police forces in southern Ontario cities, including in Toronto, have already started using enhanced powers given to them by the province to clear homeless encampments, police in northeastern Ontario cities say they are taking more of a "wait and see approach." Last week, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 6, the Safer Municipalities Act, which gives police the power to more easily clear encampments on public property by issuing fines, as well as arresting people for trespassing and public drug use. The City of North Bay already has bylaws in place that forbid homeless encampments and open drug use on city-owned property. Municipal bylaw officers work with outreach workers to ask people to leave and assist them in finding other accommodations. When that doesn't work, North Bay police are called in to help. Acting Deputy Police Chief Jeff Warner said the passing of Bill 6 gives police another tool to help deal with drug use and encampments, but he doesn't think it's something his officers will be using very often. "I don't think a lot's going to change with the new act," said Warner. "It is there if we need to use it, but the way things have been going lately over the past year or two with our partners, I don't see us having to lean toward the new legislation very often." Under the new law, people who don't comply with previous directions from police officers and are found to be re-offending when it comes to setting up encampments or using drugs can be fined or arrested. Warner said he doesn't believe those penalties will deter people from breaking the law. "A lot of these people really need, you know, medical help, mental health help, support for drug addiction, that kind of stuff," said Warner. "So with those supports in the community, I think that's sort of the only way to combat it. You definitely can't arrest and charge your way out of this." Greater Sudbury police and Timmins police — which like North Bay work with community partners and bylaw officers to help people living on the streets— are taking a similar approach. "Our partnerships are built on a shared understanding that enforcement alone cannot resolve the root causes of vulnerability in our community," said Greater Sudbury Police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn in a statement to CBC News. When asked if Sudbury police would consider utilizing the new powers, Dunn said there would need to be an elevated risk to public safety. "We will continue to explore and invest in multi-sector solutions that address the systemic issues underlying many calls for service while balancing enforcement options in situations where there is an elevated risk to public safety." Timmins Police spokesperson Michelle St. Louis said in a statement that officers are encouraged to take a balanced approach when working with the "marginalized community."
