Constable Randi Crawford called the Heart FM studio for the April edition of Tip Tuesday.
OXFORD - It was another Tip Tuesday with the Oxford OPP.
Community Safety and Media Relations Constable Randi Crawford joined us on the phone this morning once again. She answered a variety of questions, with the topics ranging from police dogs to modified lights in vehicles.
You can find the complete breakdown of the questions answered below:
1) How can people buy/sell items through websites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace safely?
Constable Crawford says they have safe trade exchange sites located at the OPP detachments in Tillsonburg and Ingersoll.
"The idea behind that is if someone is willing to sell you something, you agree to meet at the detachment. It's not monitored 24/7, so we're not there to provide that type of security, but you're still there. If someone refuses to meet you at a police detachment, that's a red flag right there."
Crawford adds you could also meet in the parking lot of a local Tim Horton's or another public place.
You should never invite a stranger to your home, or go into a strangers home.
2) How long is the average career for a police dog? What happens to them when they retire?
Constable Crawford says it all depends on the dog.
"They can work as long as they can physically work just like the rest of us. There's some dogs that have been working for over 10 years! When they do retire, their handler has the opportunity to adopt them and most of the time they do that because they have such a special bond."
She adds sometimes the dogs handler will even hold off retiring themselves, so they retire at the same time as their K9 companion.
3) How you noticed a difference since police officers have been equipped with body cameras?
Constable Crawford says the cameras have been a huge asset to everyone, especially the court system.
"For the process through the courts for fighting things like a Highway Traffic Act offence, the time has been reduced because people are pleading guilty when they see that they actually didn't stop at that stop sign, etc."
She adds sometimes the case isn't always black and white, and it could still be up to the judge to review the evidence and make a decision.
The cameras are not running 24/7. Crawford says they automatically turn on in some cases, like when an officer uses their taser or turns their cruiser siren on. The officer also has the ability to turn on their camera manually.
4) What should you do if you approach a yellow light at an intersection?
The Highway Traffic Act states that a driver should stop at an intersection if it's safe to do so. Constable Crawford says its up to you to make that judgement.
"In some cases you'll have time to stop at a yellow because you have time to do so, but there might be a person behind you right on the rear end of your vehicle and you could be afraid to. In that situation you should go through because you don't want to be involved in a collision. However, if you were in a collision it wouldn't be your fault, it would be the person who was following too closely."
She adds you should also be aware of the road conditions, because your stopping time could be impacted of the road are wet and/or icy.
5) What are the rules when it comes to adding modified lights to a vehicle?
Constable Crawford says you should research up the type of lights you're to add in the Highway Traffic Act.
"There are specific requirements for what you can have for your head lights and rear lights. You want to make sure they are never red or blue. Some people also like to do the undermount of their car as well and there are certain requirements for that. I encourage everyone to take a look online to see what you can and can't do."
If you make any modification to your vehicle, Constable Crawford says you have to let your insurance company know. You could also be pulled over if a police officer finds your modification distracting to the other drivers.
Crawford says vehicles are always in their safest condition at their factory settings.
The next Tip Tuesday is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th and you can submit a question online here.
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