COP HONOURED FOR PUTTING HAMMER DOWN ON DOWNTOWN CRIME SPREE
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — A crime wave sweeping through Gravenhurst this summer has come to a halt.
More than 100 thefts and break-ins that have “frustrated” merchants robbing them of their livelihoods are the work of just two suspects, say police.
And one of those officers behind the apprehension of one of those accused was recognized by Gravenhurst Rotarians this afternoon.
Staff Sgt. and acting Insp. Wade Beatty stood in for absent Const. Phil Thomson who tracked down and “brought to justice” the person they say is responsible for a smash and grab June 2 at the Arts at the Albion Gallery. There had been three previous break-ins at the same location two block from the OPP satellite office.
In June male broke through drywall in the old hotel’s lobby entering the art co-op and made off with jewellery and $1,000 in cash and causing $3,000 damage.
Left behind in the aftermath was a hammer the artists said didn’t belong to any of them.
The honoured officer had the hammer examined for fingerprints and other wear marks that helped lead to an arrest.
That was in addition to getting from a neighbouring business CCTV images of the person entering the building.
And of the hoodie-headed hood climbing up to cover-up an inside security camera.
It was that “investigative excellence,” said Beatty that warranted him receiving the “coveted” Rotary Club coin of distinction in its bi-annual First Responders Recognition lunch meeting.
It was also that kind of response that earned Gravenhurst Fire Department Fire (GFD) Capt. Kevin McKelvey similar recognition.
Fire Chief Jared Cayley said the Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) goes beyond his call of duty in showing “dignity, compassion — and patience” in an often difficult profession.
Especially in dealing with affordable housing issues of late as homeowners and landlords struggle to maintain safe home environments when simple things like smoke detectors aren’t provided in over-crowded housing communes.
McKelvey is also a first responder firefighter called out day and night and acting as a friendly recruit mentor and GFD mental health team support “therapist.”
Muskoka Paramedic Services (MPS) Chief Jeff McWilliam said he wanted to continue the days theme that the “frontline doesn’t work without the help of the backline.”
He was on hand with members Stuart McKinnon and Jackie Banas Fass who have the huge task of behind the scenes logistics and providing statistics to the government every three years to keep up certification and licensing of MPS.
With 110 paramedics producing voluminous amounts of “paperwork,” McKinnon and Banas Fass record statistical data for the province ensure “we’re doing our job,” said McKinnon a paramedic on top that office duty.
The pair also were Ontario paramedic leaders in the field of electronic transcribing.
Muskoka Paramedic Services was established by the District of Muskoka 23 years ago after previously being privately-run.
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