April 23, 2020
What happens if someone breaks into my cottage?
One of our local association treasurers was asked by a member, “What would happen if the security check company called and said we had been broken into? Would we be granted access to the property in order to file a police report for our insurance company?“
We contacted Constable Jason Richardson of the Ontario Provincial Police – West Region Provincial Liaison Team, our contact with the OPP. His response was this:
If a break and enter is reported, the OPP would send an officer and an occurrence number would be created. This number would be provided to the complainant, the local security person doing the property check, who could provide it to the owner. The officer may want to speak to the actual owner over the phone as well to help aid with the investigation.
It is always good to have the actual owner of the property attend when possible, so we can be sure what damage has occurred and what exactly has been taken, if anything. This does not always happen as many owners of cottages live a great distance away and it is not practical to attend for small issues.
With the current restrictions in place by Chief and Council, we would have to go through them, and on a case by case basis decide if owners need to come right away, or it can wait.
I can’t speak for Chief and Council, but the less people are out and about interacting with one another the better at this point.
We also asked the question of Kirk Roote of the Land Management Office, who replied, “I don’t see an issue if the visit was quick and limited to the assessment of the property.”
In summary, if your cottage is broken into, the person or service checking your property will inform you and the OPP of the incident. They will be given an Incident Number. You can obtain the Incident Number from the person doing your property check. You may contact the OPP or they may contact you.
The Incident Number is something you will need to file a claim with your insurance provider.
If the OPP determine that your presence is required, you may be permitted to go to your cottage for a “quick and limited” visit for the purpose of assessment and only for that purpose. In any case, you would likely be in the company of the OPP, who will have determined your presence is necessary and informed the Band. This would not be an excuse to come to the cottage for a family outing or to collect things. Constable Richardson said it well; “.the less people are out and about interacting with one another the better at this point.”
David Shearman
SCOI President
My comment is if there is damage to the cottage and repairs are needed can the insurance company send someone to repair the damage. Will they be allowed to come on the property to make repairs. The repairs may be necessary to prevent further damage to the cottage.
Our understanding is that for emergency repairs, contractors can get Band permission to do the work but cottagers are not allowed to be there when the working is being done.
we have been trying ti get permission to do some emergency repairs but no one at the band is responding to phone or email inquiries. How do you then get permission?
Please try e-mailing Kirk Roote (kirk.roote@saugeen.org). Be sure to identify yourself, your fire number, the nature of the repair and the reason this is an emergency.
Can people visit the cottage on the north side of main street
This is not our jurisdiction, but we understand that all the neighbouring municipalities, including South Bruce Peninsula, are also under a state of emergency and telling cottage owners to stay home. The mayor in South Bruce has directed the fire department to be on the lookout for cottagers who do not have permission to be there.
Please advise as to who will repair broken window and/ or doors if cottage owner cannot go to their cottage until an incident report is issued. What about animals, wind rain etc?
Our experience is that as soon as winter/spring patrol finds a broken window /door whether from weather or a break-in, you will get a call. If the police get involved they come soon after and depending on the nature of the incident will determine if more forensics are needed. As soon as the police are done with the scene, you are able to arrange for repairs. This may be as simple as boarding up the window/door until a replacement can be purchased. The winter patrol contractor can arrange for that if you do not have another contractor you can call.
Hello. Is there a chance the band on cottagers going to there cottage being lifted when the provincial leader premiere Ford lifts the order. Thanks
Gord,
The Chief and Council will decide when the SFN State of Emergency is lifted. However there will no doubt be consideration given to advice offered by the Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health as well as guidance from the Province. We also need to be prepared for a gradual lifting of restrictions and do not know how this will affect cottagers wanting to return to their cottages. No doubt the health and safety of the local community as well as the impact on the local economy will be considered.
Be kind. Be patient. Be safe.
Is the winter/spring patrol a paid service? I am wondering if they did see damage to any cottage, would they report it to the band office?
Winter/spring patrol is a paid service. If damage (fallen tree, wind, water, etc..) is encountered, the cottage owner would get a call. If a break-in or malicious damage is evident, both the cottage owner and the OPP would be called. Unless there is also damage to Band property, the Band would not be called
Just wondering why the septic tank people are not allowed at cottages to get their work done – what a great time without cottagers present. Has the band been asked about this?
Thank you.
The Band had originally allowed contractors on Band land, but they rethought that and decided to only allow those contractors that were required to make emergency repairs.
First of all, just wanted to say thank you, the information updates are appreciated, and the amount of thankless time going into maintain this site has not gone unnoticed and is valuable. You all deserve an award after this!
The website needs to be updated to reflect accurate information. The cottagers on the public side of the beach, and most other cottagers in the Province are in fact able to access their cottage. What they cannot do, is access the beach, or rent their cottage out, both are currently illegal, for now. This is consistent with the recent Cottage Life article which states ‘According to the Ontario Provincial Police, they have not issued any tickets for non-essential travel because it is not an offence. However, they are reminding people that the Ontario government strongly discourages non-essential travel but has not made it illegal.’ See https://cottagelife.com/general/answers-to-faq-cottagers-have-about-covid-19/. I’ve also reconfirmed this information first hand.
For the leased land cottagers, the restrictions of prohibiting access and charging leasees with trespassing appears to be the strictest in the Province. It seems apparent there may be serious legal issues with leasing land to the public, then charging them for trespassing if they want to access it. Especially considering it is not consistent with the Provincial approach (as above, which is presumably based on medial evidence) during this state of emergency.
I think the Bands reaction to COVID 19 is coming from a good place, they are trying to keep everyone safe, but I don’t see the harm is following the Provincial lead with cottagers by allowing, but discouraging them to access their cottage, prohibition renting cottages, social gatherings over 5 people, camp fires, access to the beach, and strictly enforce social distancing when the Province moves to phase 2 to their Plan, as released today, May 27, 2020. There are probably more reasonable things that could be added to the list, like bring your own groceries, etc.. and this will evolve as time goes on.
My question is, moving forward, could the Association advocate this position to the Band, and try to come to a mutually beneficial solution, so both parties needs can be met? After all it is the mandate of the Association to advocate for the cottagers, which, respectfully, is more than passing on information.
Paul,
Thanks for your message. Please see our latest postour latest post.
Rob McLaughlin
SCOI secretary/ treasurer