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144 speeding charges in KNP on long weekend
Columbia Valley RCMP Report
During the August long weekend, Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment members responded to 74 calls for service. Last year we responded to 84 calls so, typical August long weekend.
Traffic section advised that 178 charges were laid in the Kootenay National Park (KNP) over the weekend, including 144 speeding charges. Four cars towed for excessive speeding and one car towed due to the driver being a prohibited driver.
Detachment Members responded to numerous complaints of thefts from vehicles. In the majority of these incidents we experienced the norm; car doors left unlocked.
Old pyramid scam returns anew
A concern has been brought forward in regard to what appears to be a fraud type scam that was observed in the valley approximately seven years ago, where a number of people lost money.
The document observed describes the group as Women’s Wisdom Circle. No names on the documents observed. Bottom line – the description is each woman who participates gives a gift of $5,000 to another woman in a Circle to support her financial empowerment to manifest her dreams. Fifteen women at any given time participating. The people who have expressed a concern, should have a concern!
Dogs left in cars
A number of complaints over the long weekend unfortunately involved dogs left in cars, abandoned or left tied up for days with no water or food. Animal control attended and seized the tied up dog. Thanks for those who made observations and spoke up on behalf of the animals. All were looked into.
Boat patrols
Boat patrols on the weekend resulted in charges of not enough life jackets for the number of people on board.
Mischief arrest
At 4:15 p.m. on August 2, detachment members responded to a complaint of disturbance and mischief when an intoxicated family member was destroying property in the 2000 block of Kootenay Road # 3. A 34-year-old male was arrested for mischief and lodged in cells.
Invermere fail
At 8:25 p.m. on August 2, a 41-year-old female from Invermere was checked operating a 2006 Chev in the area of Industrial Park. The driver was given an ASD demand and blew a fail. The driver was issued a 90-day roadside suspension and the vehicle impounded.
Many calls of impaired drivers
Police responded to a number of calls and complaints of possible impaired drivers over the weekend. Due to the number of calls the members were responding to, not all cars were located. In some instances the investigators did locate the car to determine driving pattern observed was not alcohol related. Police continue to appreciate the calls and the public concern in regard to possible impaired drivers.
Breach of conditions arrest
As a result of a complaint of an adult supplying liquor to minors police attended a residence at 9:56 p.m. on August 3 and observed one male who the police were aware was on conditions to not consume liquor. The 22-year-old male was arrested for breaching his conditions and will be appearing in Invermere Provincial Court Aug 19.
Confrontation sorted out
At 2:30 a.m. on August 4, detachment members responded to a disturbance between three adult females and five adult men near the Fairmont Bungalows. The initial argument was over dogs chasing other kids in the area. The argument resulted in a physical confrontation. No charges were requested. One group agreed to pack up and depart in the morning.
Windermere crash due to failure to yield
At 2 p.m. on August 4, Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a two vehicle accident on Highway 93/95 at Bench Road in Windermere.
A 2007 Toyota was southbound on the highway when a 2009 Lexus on Bench Road made a left turn in front of the southbound vehicle. There were no injuries to the drivers and the 60-year-old driver of the Lexus from Alberta was charged with fail to yield.
Power nap
When I worked in Maple Ridge years ago I was introduced to the definition of a ‘power nap.’
Some people have a difficult time with night shift. I worked with a member who had this problem and her solution was during a break she would grab a quick nap at home. She called it a power nap. A short nap seemed to do the trick. Back then we would work 12 hour shifts from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. I could see where some people would have difficulties. One shift in the early a.m., while patrolling around the airport in Pitt Meadows during heavy fog, she called the officers on duty stating she had put her car in a ditch and needed assistance. Away we go.
She then calls in that her car is taking on water. Ditch? We are now worried that the ditch she speaks of is the nearby Fraser River. We respond a little faster.
When we arrived we observed that she approached a T intersection and failed to turn left and went directly into a water-filled ditch. She’s safe and the vehicle is not really damaged much.
We do the investigation and on the accident report I am stumped looking for a code to explain the cause of the accident. There are numerous codes to fill in to describe the cause. But I was stumped on this one. When asked what the problem was I commented to the fellow officers on scene, “I’m looking for the power nap code.”
I must say, however, the fog was thick. I was very popular when I repeated this story at her wedding.
S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac,
Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment
