Columbia Valley RCMP Report

By S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac

For those who recognize the Greek Orthodox Christmas, Merry Christmas.

Trust everyone had a great Christmas with family and friends and now the old grind of work and school; 249 more sleeps.

Cram the Cruiser: Just prior to Christmas, to help the food bank, the Detachment with the help of Gracie from the Columbia Valley Food Bank and Cpl. Simpson we did an eight hour blitz. We located the police truck at Sobey’s and AG Valley Foods. Pleased to report back to everyone that we filled the truck up three times and get this, over $1,200 cash was collected in that period. If you have an event and you wish to advertise to bring items for the food bank with Cram the Cruiser present, give me a call. Thanks for your support.

The detachment responded to 2,825 incidents in 2013. In 2012 we responded to 2,915 calls. In 2008, when things were still booming in the valley, the Detachment responded to 3,401 calls. In the police world we can make a judgment call on how the economy is doing in the valley by the calls for service volume. Things are looking up. We are not far from where we were in 2008.

MVA near Canal Flats

At 7:53 a.m. on Jan. 3, Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a single vehicle accident on Hwy 93/95 near Suncreek Road in Canal Flats. A ’98 GMC Jimmy operated by a 29-year-old male from Cranbrook was north bound and lost control of the vehicle ending up overturned on its side. No injuries to the driver. The driver was charged with fail to keep right under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Driving while prohibited

At 1:40 p.m. on Jan. 3, while conducting routine patrol in Invermere the police noticed a ’93 Dodge Dakota drive by with a driver who was known to have been prohibited from driving and driving without a valid drivers licence. Police stopped the vehicle in town and arrested the driver for driving while prohibited. The 51-year-old male from Invermere is charged with prohibited driving under the Criminal Code, driving while prohibited under the Motor Vehicle Act and driving without a valid driver’s licence. The male is to appear in Invermere Provincial Court March 10.

Hit and run investigation underway

Columbia Valley Detachment Jan. 3 also began investigating a report of hit and run that happened in the rear alley behind 7th Ave. The offending vehicle backed into a parked car. The driver of the offending car was observed and a name has been provided to the police. Investigation is continuing.

Girls report being videotaped at  pools

Staff at the pool in Fairmont Hot Springs were approached by three young girls who reported that a suspicious male appeared to be videotaping them while in the pool at 9:36 p.m. on Jan. 3. The male is described as being in his 60s. The male had departed the area before staff could make further inquiries. The pool area is secured by video surveillance. The investigation is continuing.

Driving while prohibited charges coming

Dec 13.  Columbia Valley Detachment Members conducted a road check at Laurier St and Panorama Drive. At the time a 49-year-old male had his licence suspended for 90 days and his vehicle impounded. At the end of the month notification was provided by ICBC to the police that the driver in question on Dec. 13 was prohibited from driving. Police will be contacting the male and he will be charged with driving while prohibited.

2013 in Review

Concerned citizens in the valley have often enquired how my dream retirement boat is coming along. This should answer that question.

– Bev pulled the trigger and she got the two-month renovations going in Golden now into its fourth month. Dream boat in jeopardy.

– Dog taken to the vet and found to require some urgent care. Advised the vet, Taz is family, money is not a concern; things not to say to a vet. The cost – a good kicker motor. Once recuperated I had a one-on-one session with Taz and informed her the next time she is just a dog and will be viewed as long lost distant family.

– Just when my prohibition from attending Pro Bass was to expire for getting the wife’s car impounded I rear end an innocent driver while operating a police vehicle. Advised the investigating officer to lay the ticket on me. Cost, a good fishing rod and reel. Pro Bass prohibition extended.

– Pick up truck had major work done at the cost of a good electric motor and marine radio.

– Corvette work and assistance by Cpl. Simpson causes severe injury to him and made my mechanic once again happy. Cost, good fish finder with GPS.

– Bev finds that her fridge in Golden sitting with power off ended up with a great deal of mold on the inside and she is now getting a new fridge to go with her renovations. Cost, a good traveling tarp for you know… The boat.

– New basement, new furniture. Cost, good bow electric motor with GPS capability.

– I scrape off some of that mold and will be taping it onto my aluminum boat. Practice my frantic “Oh God, look honey, mold on the boat, it can kill me.”

– Discover new friends, Angie being the exception at Thursday evening poker night at the Royal Canadian Legion.

– Renew the insurance on the truck and learn I’m still paying an administration penalty for getting Bev’s vehicle impounded. Not expected, Bev was standing beside me. She makes it known that my Mario Andretti routine is closing in on $4,000. Write a letter to Pro Bass requesting they keep me on their mailing list.

– A week into 2014; no impoundments, no accidents, no tickets, got into the money round in poker, dog is healthy, renovations pretty much done – 2014 is looking good.

Article Share