Wednesday, December 1, 2010

I almost made it to the end of shift when this 3 alarm fire hit the airwaves in Brampton. This looks to be a suspicious fire. I'm hearing all sorts of stories from neighbours about strange things happening at the home.



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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Radio Debut

I finally got my hands on an MP3 of my radio debut on CBC. On Nov. 12th 2010 two young boys were missing in Springwater Township near Barrie. Since I was the only CBC employee on scene they asked me to do some stuff for radio and television via phone. Very exciting .... for me.
Maybe not so much for you. You can listen to it here.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Murder in Markham

Stuck most of the night at a murder in Markham. A woman is dead after being shot in a home invasion robbery. Her husband was also shot and is in hospital. A child who was home was not injured. I got some video of the male victim arriving at Sunnybrook via air ambulance.
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Monday, November 8, 2010

The Sunday of the Gun


I started off my Sunday night with a homicide in Peel 12 Division at the Holiday Inn Express on Ambler Dr. That's near Dixie and the 401. Not a lot of details from PRP as usual. More will be revealed on the day shift I'm sure.

I also did a call in Scarborough 41 Division where an employee showed up at work allegedly drunk and brandishing a shotgun. Witnesses said he popped off a couple of shots in the air. ETF caught up with him later at his apartment and he's now cooling off in a jail cell.

Police were able to use the gun registry to determine that the man had 14 registered firearms. I'm guessing he will not have them for long.

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Monday, November 1, 2010

Lazy Sunday


A shooting on Falstaff, two seperate rollovers on the highway, a stabbing on King St and a 2nd alarm on Spadina Ave. That was my Sunday night how was yours?

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Monday, October 18, 2010

Toronto to Orangeville - Fires

I went to two fires overnight. The Orangeville fire was better. Mutual aid was called from 3 surrounding departments and damage will be in the millions after a large fire on historic Broadway Ave. I could see the smoke from about 5km outside of town. The Chief was very nice and even gave us a clip.

We also had a two alarm fire in the city earlier. This one was on Dovercourt near Queen. It looks like a porch fire got out of hand. Officers from 14 division helped residents escape the blaze. TFD made quick work of this one. Damage is extensive with no word on cause.

That was my quiet Sunday night.
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Monday, October 4, 2010

Pork on the Road - Pig in the City

Just when I thought the night was almost over. A truck full of pigs rolled over on the 427 ramp to the Gardiner. It will be closed for hours. The trucks were on the way to slaughter. Now they get to live for a few more hours and make a national television debut on CBC. For pigs life doesn't get much better. Living the dream baby!
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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Double Murder on Weston Road

TPS secure the scene as EMS rush a victim to hospital
I had only just started my shift when the call came in for a double shooting on Weston Rd near Lawrence. I was on scene within minutes and rolled as both victims were rushed to hospital. Both men later died. This is Toronto's 43rd and 44th homicide of the year. Life in the big city.
TFD and EMS fight to save a shooting victim

Monday, September 27, 2010

Fatal Accident Closes Hwy 27 Near Rexdale Blvd.

A horrific crash closed Hwy 27 near Rexdale Blvd just as I began my shift. At least one person was killed and a second child just 8 years old is clinging to life. They were passengers in a Honda Civic which was struck by a Mercedes SUV.

The driver of the Mercedes is alleged to have tried to leave the scene, first by trying to blend in with the crowd of witnesses, then arrested while trying to hail a taxi to leave the scene.

PD confirmed to me that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. The licence plates on the SUV were also expired. The 45 year old driver was taken to Traffic Services for further investigation. Two other occupants of the Honda were also treated by ambulance.




Friday, September 24, 2010

Shots Fired by Peel Regional Police

A PRP officer discharged his weapon at a fleeing vehicle after his cruiser was rammed on the Queensway near The East Mall. The vehicle was wanted for a break and enter at a computer shop near Cawthra and The Queensway. Police believe the van was used to smash through the front of the store. A number of laptops were stolen. Police are checking video from nearby gas stations and other businesses to see if they can get a better look at the suspects. They are looking for the white van with damage to the rear and bullet holes on the passenger side.

TPS assisted with a large grid search in the south Etobicoke area. So far the van and two male white occupants have not been found.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Shooting in 31 Division.

Started off the shift with a shooting in 31 Div. Shopkeeper shot in the chest during a robbery. I also went to this crash on the 401 at hwy10 where a car ended up right under a tractor trailer. The wheels would have been inches from the driver at they skidded to a halt. The skid marks were at least 50 feet long.
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Gettin' it Done

I had a really busy night last night. I cranked out 5 items on the night shift including shots fired inside Fairview Mall and this fatal accident on Lakeshore Blvd West in Toronto. The night went by really fast. I enjoyed the Halo video game launch at Best Buy. They are using that on CBC Morning.

I am now safely back in the burbs. Stay Classy Toronto. Let's do it again tonight.
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Monday, September 6, 2010

Huge 6 Alarm Fire


Huge 6 alarm fire tonight on College Ave West at Canada Computers. The fire spread up the walls to the apartments above. TFD reported two firefighters were injured. Way too early for damage estimate or possible causes. This is a four storey building. Heavy damage on all floors.

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Friday, August 27, 2010

Bullets and Bodies Fly

I started my night with a pedestrian struck at Bayview and Major Mackenzie. CPR was in progress as they rushed the female victim to hospital. She was struck by a minivan while crossing the street, after leaving a nearby restaurant.

Next it was off to the Danforth near Main St. after several shots were fired into Annie's Bar. Bullet holes could be seen in the front window and casings littered the street as officers from 54 Division tried to get to the bottom of the gun fire. Patrons took cover and some ran out the back door as the bullets flew. Luckily nobody was injured.

A man in his 80's was rushed to hospital after being struck by a car on Dundas at Burnamthorpe in Etobicoke. The windshield of the car showed how serious the impact was, as officers from Traffic Services reconstructed the accident.


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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Four Shot in Toronto


Toronto Police are investigating after four people were shot on Humber Blvd around 11pm tonight. A 19 year old man was shot in the chest and a 17 year old boy was shot twice in the face. A third man was shot in both legs. A fourth victim showed up at a local hospital. This makes a total of seven people shot in 48 hours. The Guns and Gangs Task Force and Major Crime Units are investigating.
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Three Shootings Tonight

We were having a real dry spell for the past couple of weeks. Tonight was the exception. I started my shift and went straight to a double shooting in the Lawrence Heights housing project. One man was shot in the head. I was only on scene for a short time when another shooting happened in Etobicoke near Evans and Royal York. That victim was shot three times and transported to St. Mike's. He wasn't cooperating with police. That's the way this crazy business goes. You wait and you wait some more then everything happens at once.

Finished the night off at a 2 alarm fire on the Danforth near Dawes Rd.

Friday, July 30, 2010

National Home Services Deceptive Sales Tactics Including Costumes

My family almost fell victim today to the worst business practices I have ever seen. My wife answered the door to a man wearing an orange construction vest. He identified himself as “from the water company” and said he was sent to “check the water heater”. She asked him if he was selling anything. He then said he worked for the company that we rented our water heater from. She let him in the house and he went down to the basement with her. This was a big mistake on the part of my wife but who can blame her? When you see a guy dressed as a construction worker with ID badges around his neck, you may assume he has some official status. She’s still a fairly new Canadian and I need to work with her better to explain how low these companies will go to get into your house.

The guy was from National Home Services ( http://www.nationalhomeservices.ca ) and he was not “from the water company”. He was renting or leasing hot water rental tanks. He had lied to my wife to gain entry into my home. By the time I came downstairs and realized what was going on, I was fit to be tied. I ordered him out of my home in no uncertain terms. I asked for his name which he would not give. I asked for a flyer which he would not give. He had another guy waiting outside and they both stood on my driveway trying to explain to me the merits of the services they offer, while I called them both every name in the book.

If you Google this company you will find others who have fallen victim to these deceptive marketing tactics. They lie to your face in an attempt to get a commission sale. The government has put cooling off periods in place but for many, this is little help. The water tanks are delivered and installed before you have a chance to think about it and then the bills start rolling in. You’re often on the hook for 10 to 15 years in the leasing contracts that have heavy cancellation fees.

This type of door to door selling should simply be outlawed. The fact that we need laws that govern the practice and cooling off periods only makes it more obvious. Have you ever met anyone who said they enjoy the whole door to door buying experience? I have never heard anyone say, “I really like buying natural gas, electricity or water heaters from a stranger at my front door. It saved me going out to buy them.”

The only thing that happens with these lying door to door sales calls is you are separated from your money. If not you are at least left feeling frustrated and bothered while relaxing at home. These companies like National Home Services are deceptive and should not be allowed to operate. I called the company and got little more than a promise to speak to the salesperson and get his side of the story. I wonder what that will be? Obviously he will deny any wrongdoing and say he never lied.

Here's a link to other people who have enjoyed a home visit.
http://www.keyframe5.com/national-home-services-water-heater-division/
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/national-home-services-water-heater-674026/
http://www.bbb.org/kitchener/business-reviews/water-heaters-dealers/national-home-services-in-north-york-on-1174972
http://christopherwatts.posterous.com/who-is-national-home-services
http://www.thestar.com/article/463378

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Small Newmarket Fire Gets Out of Hand

Just when I thought the night was a dud we had a call for a fire in Newmarket. It sounded like they had a good handle on it but it got into the roof and spread across the length of the strip mall. Fire Marshall has been called in and damage will be extensive.


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