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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac
Busy highway needs more police presence
This is a response to the letter to the editor in regard to an accident near Marble Canyon on Dec. 17 stating that the RCMP must have to answer as to why they were not on the highway on this very busy day.
There was a concern that it took police and ambulance two hours to respond. The accident was called in at 2:44 p.m. East Kootenay Traffic Services and one detachment member from Columbia Valley were on scene at 3:45 p.m. Road conditions were very poor. Police and ambulance from Banff RCMP Detachment responded and were on scene and the injured were taken to Banff Hospital with non life threatening injuries.
The author of the letter did not remain on scene as other people were caring for the injured and would not have realized this. As for why no police were in the park on what the author described as one of the busiest days of the year may have just answered his own question. Limited resources and we can’t be everywhere. Busy highway required slower speeds on this particular day. Hope I was able to answer the author’s concerns.
New Year Eve
Police responded to 10 complaints, four being alcohol related. Not bad. Appreciate everyone taking care of yourself and friends.
New Years Resolution
Going to gain 10 pounds, start smoking a cigar when fishing and try single malt Scotch.
Sled stolen
At 1:46 p.m. on Dec. 31, a 2012 Arctic Cat, High Country Snow Pro 800 sled was stolen from the back of a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup in the 1200 block of 9th Street.
Drunk in public
At 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, police attended to a disturbance complaint in the 7000 block of Revelstoke Drive in Radium Hot Springs. An adult female and adult male were eventually arrested and lodged in cells for drunk in public.
Some warmth and ticket for drunk in public
At 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, as a result of a disturbance complaint on 13th Street patrols were made resulting in a 19-year-old (highly intoxicated) male located without a shirt on in minus -15C weather.
The male was provided warmth and a ticket for being drunk in public.
Apprehended and lodged in cells
At 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, police received a report of a male attempting to start fights at the Copper City Saloon. The male departed prior to police attending. Cst. Myers spotted the male on 10th Avenue and arrested the male for drunk in public. The male objected to the arrest and ran on Cst. Myers. Not realizing that Cst. Myers has been on a strict physical fitness program he was quickly apprehended and lodged in cells.
Vehicle fire in Industrial Park
At 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 3, Invermere Fire Rescue and police attended to a vehicle fire on Industrial #4 Road in the parking lot of Cleanline Automotive involving a 2009 Chev Tahoe. The vehicle was left unattended. Investigation is continuing as to the cause of the fire.
Bear loose in the office
While working in Maple Ridge many years ago to lighten up the mood in the detachment, I walked around wearing the head of our bear mascot. I happened to walk by the breathalyzer room where it just so happened that a highly intoxicated male was sitting down waiting to blow on the breathalyzer.
The officer operating the instrument was not in a position to see me but it was clear the intoxicated male could see me as he proceeded to wave at me. So, I waved back. I could hear the curious officer ask the male what he was waving at.
Of course he responded, “A bear; you have a bear in the hallway.”
I get out of the way as I hear the officer walking towards the door. In order to prove just how intoxicated the male was I have no doubt the officer would document that the subject of the investigation sees a bear in the police office and is waving at a bear.
Minutes later I walk by the breathalyzer room, briefly stop and the male waves again, I wave back. He responds to the officer, “the bear is back.” I move on. Later, after the male is released and the officer is making his notes at his desk, I slide up beside him with the bear head on and advise him the guy was not that drunk, he really did see a bear.
