OPP lay 76 charges in connection with violations under PSISA

Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch have laid 76 charges in connection with violations of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA).

Between April 28th and April 30th, OPP, assisted by members of the South Simcoe Police Service, conducted enforcement initiatives in Ottawa, Bradford-West Gwillimbury, and Toronto, within and near the site of the recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) venue in Toronto April 29.

Officers attended a number of establishments in Ottawa, Bradford-West Gwillimbury, and Toronto, including licensed premises within each jurisdiction. A number of businesses were found to be in violation of provisions of the PSISA. Det. Staff Sgt. Rick LePage said the names of those charged have not yet been released.

Charges include:
•    16 counts of working as an unlicensed security guard,
•    16 counts of employing an unlicensed security guard,
•    37 uniform violations,
•    four (4) counts of being an unregistered business,
•    two (2) counts of operating an unlicensed business entity, and
•    one (1) count of failing to produce a license.

A total of 28 charges were laid in Ottawa, 12 charges were laid in Bradford-West Gwillimbury, and 36 charges were laid in Toronto , including 16 uniform violations within the UFC venue. The investigations are continuing and further charges may be pending.

The three initiatives bring the total to 21 in terms of law enforcement efforts to ensure provisions of the PSIS Act and Regulations are adhered to within the province of Ontario.

Charges by location:
Ottawa (28 Charges) - April 28, 2011
•    Eleven (11) counts of working as an unlicensed security guard
•    Eleven (11) counts of employing an unlicensed security guard
•    Four (4) uniform violations
•    One (1) count of being an unregistered business
•    One (1) count of operating an unlicensed business entity

South Simcoe (12 Charges) - April 29, 2011
•    Three (3) counts of working as an unlicensed security guard
•    Three (3) counts of employing an unlicensed security guard
•    Four (4) uniform violations
•    Two (2) counts of being an unregistered business

Toronto (36 Charges) - April 30, 2011
•    Two (2) counts of working as an unlicensed security guard
•    Two (2) counts of employing an unlicensed security guard
•    20 uniform violations, including 16 inside the UFC venue
•    One (1) count of being an unregistered business
•    One (1) count of operating an unlicensed business entity
•    One (1) count of failing to produce a license

Under the Private Security & Investigative Services Act, individuals performing security work in Ontario must be licensed. Additionally, establishments employing in-house security guards must be registered with the Private Security and Investigative Service Branch.

Business entities selling the services of security guards are required to be licensed by the ministry and responsible to ensure their security guards are licensed. Persons convicted of working as unlicensed security guards are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000, under the PSIS Act and up to one year in custody.

Police Issue Scam Warning

St Thomas police are warning city residents about an e-mail scam that is making province-wide rounds. In it, victims are messaged that Canada Revenue Agency is checking company tax returns and needs personal information. "Do not respond to these requests," Const. Cam Constable says. "If you have, . . . contact your local police agency, and the Canada Anti Fraud centre at info@antifraudcentre.ca."

In the fake CRA e-mail, recipients are told, "While checking your company tax reports, several discrepancies were found by comparing the real and declared profit. An investigation has been started to determine if this is a mistake or a tax evasion attempt. A new revised tax form, with additional fields is attached to this message."

Victims are asked for social insurance numbers, bank account information, and passport numbers. The attachment is then to be e-mailed to a specified address.

"Remember, the Canada Revenue Agency does not request personal information by e-mail, nor do they divulge personal information to another person unless formal authorization is provided by the taxpayer."

Fake Cheese

For years, inferior cheese masquerading as the finest from Switzerland has snuck onto the shelves of stores around the globe. You might think that slice of holey cheese is authentic – but it may be the food world equivalent of a Louis Vuitton knock-off.

Dairy counterfeiters, however, should watch their backs. Cheese detectives are on the case.