Christian Gammon-Roy
Tribune
A concerning trend has popped up on West Nipissing roads in recent weeks. Residents have been reporting nails, screws and other sharp objects littered on rural roads in various parts of the municipality, with some claiming that they have had to replace their tires because of punctures. Many posts have appeared on Facebook with photos of the items found on local roads, but the OPP have also been notified, and according to Inspector and West Nipissing Detachment Commander Nathalie Rifou, the police are investigating.
“The good thing about this is that members of the community have been reporting it, and we are aware of it, so we’re tracking it,” assures Rifou. When asked about the frequency of reports, Rifou admits they’re not frequent, “but enough to have us pay attention and track it on our end.” She notes that the complaints are coming from drivers on many different roads in different communities, from River Valley and Desaulniers to Verner and Lavigne, making the situation all the more confounding.
While she says that she can’t discuss investigative strategies or operations, Rifou does provide tips for the public who may come across such a situation. “The best way to report is to call 1-888-310-1122, that’s the non-emergency line to call the OPP,” she advises. She recognizes that it may be difficult for people to know exactly when they got a flat tire, as they could be slowly leaking air before they realize what happened, but remembering which roads you used is helpful to pinpoint where to have officers go investigate. “If they do happen to see the nails or whatever item, to let us know, and if they can pick up the item or take a picture of it that would be great,” she adds. “If someone notices something suspicious, whether it’s a person or a vehicle, make a note of it too.”
Finally, Rifou advises drivers to practice safety. “Be vigilant, make sure you have clear vision ahead of your vehicle so you don’t hit the nails, and if you do observe something that’s not normal on the roadways, you shouldn’t proceed. Pull over and assess the situation,” she suggests.