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Thinking ability was obviously greatly impaired
By S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac
At 8:23 p.m. on August 23, a Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment member checked a 2006 Ford pickup on Sinclair Street in Windermere. The 34-year-old driver from Calgary displayed signs of having consumed liquor. An ASD demand was given and the male refused to provide a sample. It was explained to the male that a refusal results in the same penalty as a fail. The driver still refused. The driver had the vehicle impounded for 30 days and his license prohibited for 90 days.
Although the male advised he didn’t have that much to drink it was apparent his thinking ability was greatly impaired. It was explained that if he blew and passed he carries on. If he blows and it results in a warning, the vehicle is impounded three days and his license prohibited for three days. By simply refusing to provide a sample, it is treated as a fail and the maximum penalty results. Add on the tow bill, storage and administrative cost, the driver did not give himself an opportunity to prove otherwise.
Bear sighting
Seems like we may have a bear wandering in the area of the 4800 block at Ridge Crescent in Windermere checking out the garbage.
Mischief in the morning
Columbia Valley Detachment received a complaint of mischief to a ‘97 Ford Contour parked near the Red Apple store on 13th Street at 10:23 a.m. on August 23. The windshield was damaged by unknown objects thrown at it.
Drunk in public
At 2:10 a.m. on Auigust 24, a 39-year-old male from Invermere was arrested for being drunk in public on 13th Street. The male was lodged in cells and released in the morning with a ticket for being drunk in public.
Front end damage
Columbia Valley Detachment dealt with a two-vehicle accident in the Copper Point Resort parking lot at 1 p.m. on August 24. A 2004 Chevrolet van making deliveries collided with a parked 2011 Dodge Ram causing approximately $2,500 damage to the front end.
Bongs stolen in B&E
At 9 a.m. on August 25, Columbia Valley Detachment responded to a complaint of break, enter and theft at the Rockies Dollar Store on 12th Street. Entry was gained via a smashed glass pane. A quantity of bongs were stolen. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Detachment.
Pass on right
Often when I’m in a marked police vehicle and I’m waiting to turn left into the detachment parking lot from the road, I end up having to wait for oncoming traffic to pass before I can turn left. Because it’s a marked police vehicle drivers for some reason are reluctant to pass me on the right resulting in a long line up of vehicles behind me. There is plenty of room to go around me on the right. The vehicle directly behind the vehicle turning left can pass on the right when it’s safe to do so.
Test, Test, just a Test
When trading war stories with fellow officers years ago in Salmon Arm my friend Tony relayed this event. He and a number of general duty police officers were assisting other officers by securing an outer perimeter during a serious event.
It was nighttime. Tony and his partner were simply going through some back yards to position themselves in a safe location. The trick is to be stealthy and not be seen as you approach the area.
Tony was walking in front while his partner, brandishing the shotgun, was behind him. Now with some of the old school guys that have not used the shotgun much we can sometimes forget the safety mechanism. Is it on or is it off? Red means on or off? The barrel is always facing away and to the ground or up in the air.
As Tony explained it, the officer behind him obviously wanted to check if the safety was on or off so he pulled the trigger. The shotgun goes off. Bright light, big noise.
Tony’s reaction was priceless. He froze in place. He knew what his partner just did, the old check and see if the safety is on or off. Tony is in one piece so he knows he’s not hurt. He slowly turns around, puts is finger to his lips and in his best Elmer Fudd voice states, “Be very, very quiet we are trying to sneak up.” House lights come on, people looking out the window, “It’s ok, we’re police, everything is good, go back to sleep.”