Woodstock Police Chief, Rod Freeman has thrown his support behind Private Members Bill C-299 once again. The bill is calling for a 5-year minimum jail sentence for those offenders convicted of kidnapping a child under 16 years of age when the offender is a stranger to the victim. Freeman spoke to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights a year ago on this bill, and on Thursday, made a presentation to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. "We're pleased and I am sure MP David Wilks who is the originator of the bill is quite pleased with this progress. I am still pretty optimistic, if anything I am more optimistic today than I was a even year ago and I was thinking plosive even back then". The bill has a personal connection for Freeman as he took over as the Police Chief in Woodstock the day Tori Stafford's body was discovered in Mount Forest. "If there is anything I can do to ensure that another child doesn't have to endure what Victoria did, than I will pull out all stops to do accomplish that. And that's part of appearing last year before the Parliament committee and again this year before the Senate and if it requires another appearance, I will gladly come forth and explain the experiences that we had in Woodstock and hopefully contribute to a solution". During his presentation on Thursday, Freeman said "Well we respect the rights of the accused, I think we have a greater responsibility to ensure the safety of our children".

Charges Laid after Truck Hits Bridge
Ingersoll Candidate Profile - Mike Tucker
Motorcyclist Killed in Oxford Collision
Tip Tuesday with the Oxford OPP - July 2026
Health Units Shining a Light on Food Insecurity
Oxford OPP Briefs - July 28th, 2026
Cat Thrown from Vehicle in Norfolk County
Environment Canada Issues Yellow Watch for Thunderstorms
Oxford Mosquito Traps Tests Positive for West Nile
Woodstock Candidate Profile - Sandeep Sidhu
Last Call for WPS Online Survey
Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Oxford
Woodstonian Killed in Beachville Crash
Serious Collision Under Investigation in Norfolk
OPP Recover 191 Boxes of LEGO
Woodstock Police Briefs
Woodstock Receives OLG Payment
Operation Safe Driver Campaign Result
CO Awareness Hits Oxford County
Norwich Candidate Profile - Shawn Gear