Columbia Valley RCMP Report

At 11 a.m. on May 11, Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment members attended to a complaint of break and enter in the 1300 block of 12th Ave. Entry was gained via a back window. At the time of the investigation nothing was reported stolen. Possibility of an alarm or neighbor may have been alerted.

Kids playing in unoccupied building

A Canal Flats village employee advised the police May 11 of kids running through an unoccupied mobile home in the 4000 block of Beatty Ave.

Warning result of check

As a result of being on the lookout for a suspicious vehicle at 2:30 a.m. on May 11, a SUV was located and the driver displayed signs have having consumed liquor.  An ASD demand was read and the male driver blew a warn resulting in his driver’s licence being suspended for three days. The vehicle was in a location that did not require it to be towed.

Drunks lean on police to find condo

At 3:53 a.m. on May 12 the Columbia Valley Detachment received a call from a male who reported to be with his friend in Fairmont Hot Springs. He noted that both were highly intoxicated, advising they may not be able to carry on and locate their condo. Both males were from the Calgary area. A detachment member called the concerned male back and advised a taxi could be called to assist them. At this time the males advised they located their condo and judging from the distance required no further assistance. To serve and protect.

Rail-riders slip through

Canadian Pacific Railway police out of Golden contacted the Columbia Valley Detachment at 12:30 p.m. on May 12 to report two males had jumped on a train and headed to Invermere. A detachment member attended to the train tracks around the time the train arrived and a search was conducted. CP police were also in attendance. No males were located.

Homeless trekker causes concerns

Over a two day period in Radium Hot Springs and in the Fairmont Hot Springs area, the detachment received reports of a suspicious male walking on the highway. Police had checked the male May 12 and learned that he was homeless and en route to Cranbrook. The behavior of the male certainly was strange and we appreciate the concern and reporting of this person by the public.

Out-of-towners brawl in Radium

Columbia Valley Detachment members responded to a complaint of a large group of males fighting in the area of Stanley Street in Radium at 11:40 p.m. on May 12.  The disturbance had ended by the time police arrived.  It was learned that a group of males that had been drinking got into a scuffle.  Group of males were from out of town, Prince George and Calgary area.  All were sent on their way.

Theft from wallet

Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint May 13 of theft of money from a wallet left on the dashboard of an unlocked vehicle in the 2000 block of Pine Ridge Drive.

Columbia Valley Detachment open house

The second annual Columbia Valley Detachment open house will be held on May 24 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.  This is an opportunity for community members to attend the detachment.  Big hit last year for the kids.  All our toys will be out for display and for the kids to jump on.  Lions Club will be hosting a BBQ. Tim Horton’s and Restorative Justice volunteers will be supplying police food along with drinks.  All the grade three classes in the Valley will have posters plastered all over the wall. Prizes sponsored by Home Hardware and Canadian Tire will provide one student in each grade three student with a prize.

If he is not on a call our Police dog handler Cpl. Sullivan will be here with Rambo as well as Cst. Chris Ralph with his police puppy in training. The dog will be front and centre at 6 p.m. Kids were mostly interested in touring the jail area. Cpl. Simpson will gear up in his riot gear. Last year two kids were left behind. We found good homes for them.

Insider trading information

There must be added stress on the son or daughter whose parents are police officers in a small community.  However, there are some advantages. One of the advantages and pleasures I had in Golden was my relationship with the youths in the community.  My son started in Golden in Grade 1 and graduated there. As a result of being involved with his activities, the interaction and relationship established during those 13 years with the youths was this was the best experience of my career to date. I could go into a crowd and the kids would cover my back.

My son, in his partying days (still ongoing), happened to be with a large group of youths (50?) at a house party. Unfortunately for the kids it was just a few houses from ours and it was getting noisy and out of hand with the screaming and yelling. I requested the officers working to attend the house and tell them to keep it quiet. The response back from the officers is the young man holding the party was not co-operating.

So, Sheriff of Mayberry kicks in. I phone the house in question and request they put my son on the phone.  My son gets on the phone and my instruction to him was pretty brief.  “You have 10 minutes to decide who your best friends are and leave the house.” To my surprise no returning argument.  My son turns to his friends and tells them it’s time to leave.  When they asked why, he responds, “Hell is about to descend and he’s bringing friends.”

No uniform required; walk over to the house where uniformed police officers were waiting. I follow some party-goers into the house. Everyone is happy to see me; they ask how the hockey team is doing. Told them I was not in the mood to talk hockey, and announced that the party is over. Walked through the house and cleared it out.

I stood at the door as they were leaving and I felt like a steward as people were getting off the plane. Thanks for coming – bye, bye.  Thanks for coming – bye, bye. Some kid, obviously new to town or visiting from the big city, stops and demands, “Don’t you need a warrant to do this?”

My response, “Not in Golden – thanks for coming bye, bye.” Love small town policing.

S/Sgt. Mark Shehovac, Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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