Police "aggressively" monitoring Highway 6 bypass

By Bill Jackson – The Regional

August 13, 2008

After more objects were hurled at traffic on the Caledonia Highway 6 bypass in recent weeks, police are now aggressively patrolling the area using video surveillance.

"We are continuously monitoring that stretch of road," said Cst. Paula Wright. "We are conducting patrols along that stretch of highway….We're doing all that we can."

On August 7, at approximately 10:25 p.m., a mini van traveling south on the bypass near the south end of the Grand River Bridge had a rock shatter it's driver's side passenger window as another vehicle passed by, according to an OPP press release. A passenger in the mini van sustained a minor cut from the glass shattering.

Two other incidents occurred within the next two minutes with damage occurring to the driver's side or front windshield of the vehicles in the vicinity of the Fifth Line and Highway 6. These incidents are not related to the overpasses, police say.

"this is a random act of mischief involving a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction throwing objects."

However debris has also been thrown from the Stirling Street overpass onto the bypass. Last year two young offenders were caught hurling rock onto Highway 54 from a railway overpass.

Acting Inspector Michael Rigby said the behaviour is unacceptable.

"It is a severe risk to the public and we are doing all that we can to prevent these occurrences."

Police are also appealing to the public for assistance. People who see anything suspicious, whether it be a vehicle, persons or strange behaviour should call police at 1-888-310-1122, Anyone who knows someone responsible for any of these incidents can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Anyone found responsible will be arrested and charged criminally with mischief endangering life, according to police.