Mega Ride Program held on long weekend

By Patricia Leboeuf | June 3, 2021 | Local
Several people, military, police, and civilian standing apart outside wearing masks, police vehicles in background
At the request of the Petawawa Police Services Board (PPSB), the Upper Ottawa Valley Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Deep River Police and Garrison Petawawa Military Police partnered for a Mega RIDE Program on May 21 to encourage people to think twice before driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In the front row, from left, are Sharon Dainty, Provincial Appointee for the PPSB; OPP Staff Sergeant MaryAnn MacNeil; PPSB Chairman James Carmody; Deep River Constable Robert Medeiros; and Maria Morena-Church, Community Representative for the PPSB. In the back row, from left, are Garrison Petawawa Military Police personnel Corporal Jeff Giacomelli, Corporal Nick Ormerod, Corporal Jennifer Bolch and Master Corporal Daniel Gillrie. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

A Mega RIDE Program kicked off the May Long Weekend, targeting impaired drivers.

On May 21, roadside checkpoints were set up in various locations throughout the Town of Petawawa with the hope of deterring any possible dangerous driving and catching those who got behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

This program was a collaboration between the Town of Petawawa Police Services Board (PPSB) and the Upper Ottawa Valley Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Deep River Police and Garrison Petawawa Military Police, confirmed Maria Morena-Church, Community Representative for the PPSB.

“We just wanted to put a lot of awareness for the cause,” said Morena-Church, pointing out they hope to prevent impaired driving as a whole.

The RIDE program was in place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the long weekend.

“If rules are going to be broken, it is generally on long weekends when everybody is out and about,” said Sharon Dainty, Provincial Appointee for the PPSB. “And this is the weekend that they have opened some facilities from the lockdown.”

Petawawa doesn’t have a significant or overwhelming impaired driving problem, said James Carmody, PPSB Chairman, but it is best to do some preventive work to keep those numbers as low as possible.

“We just want to stop them before they start,” said Carmody.

Over 1,200 vehicles passed through the RIDE checks, and no charges were laid. The PPSB considered it a successful event, especially considering it is the first they speaheaded.

David Minns-Desjardins Insurance sponsored the May 21 Mega RIDE Program.