Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding the public that making threats is a criminal offence after a hydro worker was threatened by an area resident in North Kawartha Township on Wednesday (April 2).
The hydro worker, a member of one of the crews working to restore power in the township, was on the side of the road completing some paperwork when a dark-coloured SUV pulled up beside them. The driver of the vehicle, who was unknown to the hydro worker, said that if power wasn’t restored to their house by that evening, they would be coming after the hydro worker to cause them harm.
Although the hydro worker did not want to proceed with charges, they called police to ensure the threat was reported.
“The Peterborough County OPP understand that area residents still experiencing power outages are feeling frustrated and upset, but remind individuals that making threats can be considered a criminal offence and will not be tolerated,” reads an OPP media release. “Under the Criminal Code of Canada, uttering threats can be punishable by a term of between two and five years imprisonment.”
Peterborough County OPP note that the county has seen “hundreds if not thousands of hydro workers from near and far working tirelessly around the clock to help restore power to our community” in poor weather conditions as well as working around and through debris from the ice storm.
“The Peterborough County OPP, along with most members of the community, appreciate the hard work and dedication being shown by these workers and will continue to support your efforts.”
