OPP issue safety message regarding flares and suspicious packages

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have released a statement warning Prince Edward County residents that military ordnances and search and rescue flares may be discovered in the area.

On Tuesday Feb. 16, 2021 members from the Prince Edward County OPP Detachment responded to a weapons disposal call. According to an OPP release dated Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, officers attended a residence near Wellington, Ontario, to retrieve what was reported to be an historical military ordnance.

OPP say officers attended the address and confirmed the device appeared to be from years past. Officers contacted Canadian Forces Base Trenton who dispatched their Explosives Ordnance Disposal unit to remove this item safely, according to the release.

With the history of Prince Edward County and surrounding military training grounds, OPP say there is opportunity for these ordnances to be located. The OPP would like to remind residents not to handle something like this. Rather, leave it where it is and call police.

Additionally, due to Prince Edward County’s proximity to the Forces Base, there are occasionally search and rescue flares washing ashore onto The County from the lakes and bays, OPP said in the release. These flares are marked with instructions to call police or military and also should not be handled.