Columbia Valley RCMP Report

An alert citizen Feb. 6 reported a possible break and enter to a garage in the 4000 block of Copper Crescent in Windermere. The investigation revealed that the son of the owner, who resides in Alberta, needed to gain entry to the garage and had permission to break the lock.  Good call; however, by the person observing the damage.

Montreal ticket mystery solved

A female attended the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment on Feb. 7 to advise that she continues to get mail for parking violations of her vehicle in Montreal. It was determined that through a separation with her husband he had the vehicle in Montreal.  Police assisted her in ensuring that her insurance is cancelled and that her name also be removed as the co-owner.

No injuries in KNP crash

Columbia Valley Detachment received a report of a single vehicle accident in Kootenay National Park approximately 50 km south of Hwy 1 on Feb. 7.  A 2008 Dodge hit loose gravel, spun out and hit a cement barrier.  The driver, a 50-year-old male from Alberta was able to continue to drive on and met the police in Radium Hot Springs for further follow up. No injuries to the driver.

No injuries in collision with elk

At 9 p.m. on Feb. 7, RCMP received an abandoned 911 call. The caller was eventually contacted and she advised that she collided with an elk near Edgewater. The driver was not injured and had arranged for a tow vehicle to assist her.

Assist Calgary Police

Over the past couple of summers in the Radium Hot Springs area the public often reported the strange actions of a 31-year-old female who appeared to be living in her blue Chevrolet Astro Van.  At times the vehicle would be filled with items and she had cats living in the van.  This person has been reported missing in the Calgary area. Should you see this van back in the valley, please contact the detachment.

Semi driver charged

At 2:18 p.m. on Feb. 8, Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a two-vehicle accident on Hwy 93/95 and Stanley Street in Radium. A 2003 Honda had stopped on the highway to allow traffic to go by before turning left onto Stanley Street. A 2006 Kenworth semi was behind the Honda and failed to stop hitting, the rear end of the Honda. No injuries to the people in the Honda. The driver of the semi was charged with drive without due care and attention under the motor vehicle act.

Theft from vehicle

Columbia Valley Detachment Feb. 9 received a report of theft from a vehicle on Panorama Drive. An Iphone, Ireader, Blackberry, wallet and a red ski bag were stolen from the vehicle.

Minor injuries in Canal Flats elk crash

At 12:13 a.m. on Feb. 10, Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a single vehicle accident involving a SUV and elk on Hwy 93/95 near Canal Flats. The SUV received extensive damage.  The driver and passenger, both from Invermere, received minor injuries due to the impact.

Theft from unsecured locket at Fairmont

Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint of theft from vehicle at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 10.  A vehicle key and clothing were stolen from an unsecured locker at Fairmont Hot Springs. When the 2001 Honda Odyssey was checked it was determined that entry was made. A wallet and Blackberry were stolen. Credit cards were cancelled. An attempt was made to use the card at Gas Plus in Fairmont.

Threat indicators

I sometimes wonder if marriage has prepared me for police work on the road dealing with people, or if police work has sometimes prepared me for marriage.

In the past, what I learned about active listening from a course backfired on me when I tried it at home. In the police world, when dealing with confrontation, whether it be physical or verbal, oftentimes we are given a heads up that the situation we are facing is about to go sideways on us. Through our own experience by trial and error and from the numerous courses the officers go on in regards to officer safety, one of the many threat indicators we see is what we refer to as the 1,000 mile stare.

The person is looking in your direction but their eyes are certainly not focused on you but staring elsewhere. The person is in a zone where he is not paying attention to your commands or direction but fixated on the 1,000 mile stare. Not good. I have learned again through my vast experience with Bev, that wives have similar threat indicators.  Happened to me this past weekend.

Wife walks in; not a hello or how are you. All I see is a threat indicator. She reaches into her bag and takes out an envelope and hands it to me. Wives don’t do the 1,000 mile stare, they look you straight in the eye and burn a hole in you. Frown the lips and get that look on their face where you know full well you’ve done bad, but you have no idea the bad you did.

A letter from ICBC wanting another $300 for getting her vehicle towed for speeding. Long story. She announces we are now up in the range of $3,000 for my stupidity. In the past, one of her threat indicators was vacuuming the house at midnight while I tried to sleep. It’s been some time since I ticked her off that much. Proof that I am learning.  The unfortunate thing about this letter was the timing. Weekend of the boat show.  Again this year, no boat.

Thanks to Valentine’s Day, I (we) can make up some brownie points.

S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac

Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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