Columbia Valley RCMP Report

The deer cull may be over but it appears the cull continues. Over the last week there have been numerous collisions involving vehicles striking deer. Many of the deer were killed due to the impact. Drive with caution in the evening and early morning hours.

No doubt the sheep cull being entertained by Radium council will be hotly debated. As a police officer I cannot take sides on such issues but I would certainly encourage citizens to make your thoughts known to the village office.

Spared injury in Fairmont crash

On March 22 Columbia Valley Detachment members attended to a complaint of a single vehicle accident involving a 2007 Chevrolet going off the road into the ditch on Hwy. 93/95, west of the Hoodoos gas station.  The 18-year-old female driver from the valley was not injured. Road conditions were poor at the time. The vehicle sustained very little damage. The vehicle was towed out and was able to continue on.

Later that evening Columbia Valley Detachment members attended to a disturbance at a residence in Edgewater.  A 35-year-old male from Edgewater was found to be intoxicated and was under orders to not attend the home while intoxicated.  The male co-operated and was driven to another location without incident. No charges were laid.

The detachment responded to a number of noise complaints over the weekend.  All involved co-operated with the request to turn the volume down. No charges were laid.

Arrest in Fairmont

At 3:15 p.m. on March 25, Columbia Valley Detachment members responded to a complaint of breach of undertaking/court order in Fairmont Hot Springs.  A 47-year-old male attended to a residence he was not to attend to.  The male was arrested and charged with breaching the order.

Seasonal policing

During the summer and winter season the Columbia Valley Detachment receives funding for extra patrols to assist with events that go on during these busy seasons. This winter the detachment members were able to use these extra funds to do a number snowmobile patrols.  Some of the patrols were done with the local Conservation Officer.  Patrols were made on the lake, rural snowmobile trail areas, and small forestry areas and parks. I hope that the members were visible on the lake for all those that use it for the various recreational endeavors. We received a number of positive comments from the public for being visible in areas they would not normally expect the police to be seen.

We saved a stranded snowmobile operator, provided direction to a few who appeared lost. A few fishing regulations warnings were given. The local Conservation Officer initiated a couple of fishing regulation offences. Some of the officers had to listen to some BS stories of huge monster fish that got off the hook. Obvious evidence of too much alcohol to stay warm. We will be gearing up for summer seasonal policing patrols.

Detachment Open House May 24

The Columbia Valley Detachment open house will be happening May 24.  Sponsored by the Windermere Lions Club and Tim Horton’s. Further information to be provided.

Looking for Citizens

Citizens On Patrol: With Spring and Summer soon upon us the Detachment is still looking for citizens who wish to be involved with Citizens on Patrol in the Invermere and Radium area.

Stupid or an idiot, pick the lesser of the two evils

I had an incident while stationed in Rossland. During the annual shoot to qualify on our guns, my simple job was to take the police suburban to the Trail detachment and pick up the metal frames that hold the targets.  The frames are awkward with long (very long) metal poles to stick into the ground. I placed all the frames tightly packed in the back of the police wagon and slammed the doors shut. Immediately shattering two back windows to the suburban. Math was not a strong point with me in school (length of metal poles compared to length of load capacity plus angle plus strength of window = shattered glass = policeman standing there looking like an idiot.)  However, I quickly looked around the detachment parking lot and realized there were no witnesses.  I had a choice of how I would take responsibility.  I could approach my supervisor and be called an idiot or go for the lesser guilt of being stupid.

I picked up all the broken glass on the ground and put it in the police vehicle. I knew the dirt road to the range was rough with some good bounces. Down the dirt road I go and pick my best dip in the road and stop. Put all the shattered glass on the dirt then carry on to the range to confess my sin to my supervisor. I’ve been watching all these cop shows on TV and have to leave some evidence around. The supervisor sees his vehicle with the shattered window and his analysis: “Not very bright of you; pretty stupid.”

My head was bowed and I accepted his critique of the incident but deep inside I was thinking “yes, pretty stupid; but I’m no idiot.”

S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac,

Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment NCO

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