Woodstock Police briefs

Const. Steve Robb spent part of his Saturday stationed at Woodstock’s EnviroDepot after the behaviour of some customers has become increasingly abusive toward staff. (Lee Griffi photo)

City posts officers at Woodstock EnviroDepot

The city is placing in paid duty officers to help address concerns at the depot, a move that began last Saturday.

“Misuse and unacceptable behaviour have been on the rise at the EnviroDepot, which is a concern,” said Dan Locke, the city’s director of public works. “Some…users are blatantly disregarding what is and isn’t permitted and become abusive when staff approach them about following the rules,” he added.

The waste diversion facility at 944 James St. allows Woodstock residents to get rid of items they no longer need and divert them from the landfill. However, unlike a full landfill, only certain types of materials are accepted.

The city explained in a release that paid duty officers will be on site from time to time to provide support to staff and try to encourage compliance by users.

Those considering a trip to the EnviroDepot should know permitted items include up to five large items, construction and renovation materials, household hazardous waste, most household electronics, large appliances and some recyclables like Styrofoam

“No household garbage is allowed. All household garbage must be bagged and tagged and put at the curb for collection or taken to the Oxford County Waste Management facility at 384060 Salford Rd. No commercial vehicles are allowed (including rental trucks), only personal vehicles. Businesses and commercial vehicles must use the landfill on Salford Road,” added the release.

“The service offers convenience for Woodstock residents by saving them a trip to the landfill, but that’s not the only advantage. Diverting materials from the landfill has environmental benefits and can save taxpayers’ money by reducing tipping fees and extending the lifespan of the landfill,” said the release. “Because of the frequent abuse faced by staff, the city is seeing high staff turnover for these important roles. Staff turnover can impact the level of service and cost taxpayers money,” it added.

Locke said the city’s goal is to have residents understand what they can and can’t drop off at the site.

“There is a lot of information on the website about what is and isn’t allowed so we are asking people to do a bit of homework before they show up and have to be turned away,” added Locke. “Our staff cares about providing services for the community and are here to help but we won’t tolerate abusive behaviours towards them.”

Young offender charged after collision at Pittock

Police responded to a single-vehicle collision at the entrance of Pittock Conservation Area on Sunday, May 18, just before 3 a.m. They say a 17-year-old male lost control of his vehicle, crashing into the entrance kiosk and causing significant structural damage. No one was injured as a result of the collision.

Police located the driver when they arrived and formed the opinion he was impaired by alcohol. Open alcohol was also found inside the vehicle. The driver was arrested and transported to the police station, where breath samples were obtained.

The young offender, whose name can not be released, has been charged with impaired driving.

Police release images of robbery suspects

Woodstock Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying three persons of interest in connection with a break-and-enter that occurred overnight between May 4 and May 5, 2025, at a local business.

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, between 10:53 p.m. and 11:23 p.m., unknown male suspects forced entry into a business in the area of Peel Street and Young Street and stole two safes containing cash and other items.

The suspects were seen leaving the scene in a dark-coloured, four-door Mitsubishi SUV.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area, or who may have security footage from the evening of May 4, to contact investigators.

The Woodstock Police Service would like to encourage anyone having information about this investigation to contact the Woodstock Police Service at 519-537-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).