BELLEVILLE, ON – The Belleville Police Service is urging the public to be safe online following a recent influx of sextortion reports involving youth. Sextortion is a type of online child exploitation where a suspect convinces a victim to share private or sexual photos or videos, generally over social media. Once the suspect has the content, they often threaten to share it with the victim’s friends, family or school unless the victim sends money, gift cards or additional content. Parents are encouraged to have ongoing open conversations with their children about internet safety and the risks of sharing private content online. How to Stay Safe Online: Be cautious when communicating with unknown persons online. If you don’t know the person in real life, you cannot confirm who they are on the other end. Never share intimate images or videos, even if you think you can trust the person. Be aware

BELLEVILLE, ON – The Belleville Police Service is proud to share the early success of its Community-Oriented Responsive Enforcement (CORE) initiative, a proactive summer program focused on strengthening relationships between police and the community through visibility, connection, and collaboration. As a result of the initiative’s success and strong community response, the Belleville Police Service has extended CORE through the end of August. Launched initially as a four-week pilot, CORE aimed to promote safety and address concerns in the downtown area by partnering with local agencies to share information, organize targeted enforcement efforts and tackle problems together. Belleville Police and its community partners worked closely throughout the initial phase to carry out targeted patrols, respond to issues, and strengthen safety through a coordinated, proactive approach. The initiative brought multiple agencies together to deliver real-time solutions and promote long-term community well-being. As a direct result of these efforts, Belleville Police recorded the

Back to Briefs The Belleville Police Service is issuing a public safety notice regarding a Belleville man with a known history of violence. 41-year-old James Jeffery of no fixed address is now residing in the Belleville area and frequents the downtown core. Jeffery is described as 6’0 tall, with a stocky build and brown hair. He was recently charged after multiple calls for service involving his behaviour in the downtown core, including forcefully throwing an individual to the ground outside the Belleville Public Library. He was convicted of breaching his probation and has been sentenced to an additional 12 months of probation, with conditions including staying away from the library. This release is being made in accordance with the provisions of the Community Safety and Policing Act (2019; 80(2)8). If Jeffery is observed engaging in suspicious or concerning behaviour, do not approach him. Call the Belleville Police Service at 613-966-0882

A 50-year-old male has been arrested and charged with first degree murder following the death of a victim injured in an assault earlier this year. On May 31st, Belleville Police responded to a call in the city’s east end. Officers arrived on scene and located a 72-year-old female victim suffering from significant head trauma. The victim was transported to Kingston General Hospital with life threatening injuries. As a result of the initial investigation, a male was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. On July 17th, members of the Belleville Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Unit learned that the victim, Barbara O’Donnell, had succumbed to her injuries.  As a result, the charge against the male has been upgraded to first degree murder. On July 24th, Jason Richardson, 50-year-old Tweed resident, was arrested and charged for first degree murder under the Criminal Code of Canada. Richardson has remained in custody following the initial arrest

On Friday, July 4th, 2025, members from the Belleville Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) and Emergency Response Unit (ERU) arrested a 46-year-old male from the Peterborough area as a result of a child luring investigation. The male suspect had been operating in online chatrooms under the username “Peterboroguy”. As a result of the investigation, Jeffery Merrick, of Peterborough, was arrested and charged with two counts of luring a person under 16, one count of making written child pornography and one count of invitation to sexual touching. He is being held for a bail hearing. Police are aware that Merrick is the head coach of at least two U18 girls’ sports teams in the Peterborough and Cavan areas and are concerned there may be other victims. Possible victims or anyone with information in regard to this investigation are asked to contact D/Cst. Lacey Montgomery of the BPS ICE Unit

A 43-year-old male has been arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred late Wednesday night on Hwy 2.  On July 2nd at 10:48 pm, Belleville Police, Fire and Hastings Quinte Paramedics responded to Hwy 2 for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, a 36-year-old Belleville man was transported to Belleville General Hospital and pronounced deceased by medical staff. In the afternoon of July 3rd, with the assistance of the Criminal Investigations Division and the Traffic Safety Unit, the Belleville Police arrested 43-year-old Joseph Scott Nestler, of Belleville. He was charged with failing to stop at an accident, resulting in death.  Nestler was released with a future court date. SECOND RELEASE SENT ON JULY 3 UPDATE – Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Pedestrian  ORIGINAL RELEASE SENT ON JULY 3 On-going Collision Investigation   Back to Briefs