Traffic gripes putting policing on hot seat

By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Source: The Chronicle-Journal

While some Kakabeka Falls area residents have been publicly venting about an increase in speeding and incidents of careless driving, provincial police say they haven’t been giving the village short shrift when it comes to regular patrols.

“The OPP is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users across the province, including within Kakabeka Falls,” a regional OPP spokeswoman said on Thursday.

“Officers regularly patrol designated roadways and highways and work closely with municipal partners to monitor traffic conditions, enforce laws, and respond to incidents promptly,” the spokeswoman added.

Residents who live in and near the village have been grumbling about traffic violations since the beginning of October, when a new Thunder Bay bylaw required heavy trucks to bypass the city and stay on Highway 11-17 and other main routes unless they are making deliveries.

Last month, Thunder Bay municipal police officers ticketed a dozen truckers who were suspected of violating the bylaw.

Meanwhile, motorists who regularly travel Highway 11-17 between Thunder Bay and Kakabeka Falls said they immediately noticed an uptick in transports on that route, which is mainly a two-lane highway.

“I’d like to know where the police have disappeared to in Kakabeka Falls,” one local said in an online post.

“Since all truck traffic is going through, very seldom do you see (police),” the person added. “Trucks go through the village speeding, tail-gating, but nothing is done.”

The OPP spokeswoman urged locals to formally report suspected violations, saying public safety “is a shared responsibility.”

The Thunder Bay OPP detachment can be reached by calling 807-939-2133. The regional OPP number is at 1-888-310-1122.