Columbia Valley RCMP Report

With the good weather now upon us the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment is receiving more complaints of dirt bikes and ATVs being driven on the roads.

In many cases, with no insurance and no helmets. The detachment will be concentrating some effort this summer to conduct patrols to deal with these types of complaints. Due to the nature of these types of complaints some enforcement tactics outside of the box will have to be employed. Charges will be laid, vehicles will be seized.

Citizens on Patrol: Last call for volunteers

Columbia Valley Detachment is seeking volunteers to become involved with Citizens on Patrol for both Radium Hot Springs and Invermere. A number of volunteers have come forward for Radium and we are seeking at least two to four more. Invermere needs at least six to eight people to become involved.

These volunteers conduct patrols in the community and become the extra eyes and ears for the police in keeping our community safe. Volunteers are security cleared and trained. I would like to get this training completed by the end of April early June.

If you are interested please give me a call at the detachment, 250-342-9292. I would like to get this training started so if you are interested call me so we can get this done.

Calm Easter

Easter Long weekend resulted in 16 calls for service.  For a long weekend it was pretty calm.

Vehicle plundered at Fairmont

At 7 p.m. on March 30, Columbia Valley Detachment received a report of theft from a vehicle while parked at the Fairmont Hot Pools.  A Buick Rendezvous had its window smashed.  A bag was stolen from the vehicle that contained an iPad, camera and wallet.

With our good weather and people taking advantage of our recreational sites, we have our local and traveling thieves who will take advantage of viewing valuable items left in the car. Although bags my keep these valuables out of site from prying eyes the bags alone will tempt people. Everything should be stored in the trunk.

Fighters flee

Columbia Valley Detachment members responded to a 3:15 a.m. disturbance complaint on March 31 near a motel in town. Two males were observed to be fighting.  A third male attempted to intervene and was punched.  The two males causing the disturbance departed the area.

Unruly departure

Columbia Valley Detachment Members responded to a complaint at Panorama Mountain Village to assist security at 11:15 a.m. on March 31. A group of people were refusing to leave a room and the people involved were not co-operating with security. The matter appeared to be resolved by the time police arrived.

Compound car plundered

At 3:30 p.m. on March 31, Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint of theft from a 2003 Honda that was parked in a tow compound over the last month.  The window was smashed and a black Alpine stereo/dvd was stolen.

Quick thinking

One thing the RCMP has taught me over the years is to think fast on my feet, and my mouth can be my best weapon.

This training and experience has often kept me safe in my marriage. I sometimes amaze myself. I recently joined the Eastern Star, which Bev has been a member of for years. I have my motivations for doing so.

Bev and I attended a meeting in Kimberley where a close friend is in charge of their meetings.  At the end of the meeting, visitors are expected to speak.  At the end of the meeting my wife is called upon to say some words and bring greetings.

As Bev is the senior officer in our Chapter there is no need for me to bring greetings or expected to speak. Bev get’s up and she does her thing.  I go into husband mode and I’m thinking of the kind of depth finder and down rigger I will eventually want on my boat.

My day dreaming is rudely interrupted when I see Bev sit down and the person in charge of the meeting is heard to ask, “and does Mr. Shehovac wish to say anything?”  This is where my police training came into play. By the time I heard her say this, and  the time it takes to stand up to respond, this is what I hear myself say, “It is my common practice that after my wife has spoken, I don’t speak.” I then sat down. When I did sit down it was to a thunderous applause from all the women at the meeting.

Again, I must say, at times even I am amazed at my quick thinking.

S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac

Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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