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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By Cpl. Grant Simpson
This past week the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 88 calls for service. A small sample of some of the calls we responded to throughout the week are highlighted below.
Camping disturbance sorted out
On July 22 at 11:42 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a disturbance at the Redstreak Campground at Radium Hot Springs. The complainant reported that there were campers set up near a trail on the campground and that they were being very loud and cutting down living trees. He advised that they should not be in Kootenay National Park camping unlawfully and cutting trees down.
Police attended and located the group of campers. They were located just outside of the Kootenay Park boundary.
Police could not determine whether the land was privately owned or Crown land. The campers advised that they had not cut down any live trees and were only using deadfall to keep the fire going. They were told to keep the volume down and shut the fire down for the evening. The group of 10 was cooperative and agreed to do so. A 28-year-old Calgary male advised that his father owned the land that they were camping on and that they had been camping there for many years without issues. Police then updated the complainant and advised him to contact them if the group became loud again. No further reports were received.
Bar closing excitement
On July 23 at 3 a.m. police were on 13th Street to assist with bar closing. An employee of Copper City Saloon then notified police that there was a large fight happening around the corner. Police attended and broke up the large group of people who were pushing and shoving.
There were no injuries noted and it appeared to be mostly yelling and pushing. Police did not see anyone strike anyone else and advised everyone involved to leave the area and to go home. A 20-year-old local male did not leave the area and began to yell at the other parties involved. He was arrested for causing a disturbance and everyone else left the area. The male was cooperative with police and remorseful for his actions. He did not appear to be overly intoxicated and was capable of caring for himself. Police decided to transport him home to his residence and release him as there were other fights and a large amount of people in the area to contend with. Police warned the male about his actions and released him.
Missing elderly woman found
On July 24, at 6:43 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report that a local 77-year-old female went missing from the Radium Hot Springs Hot Pools in Radium Hot Springs. Dispatch reported that she had been missing for about 90 minutes. The complainant and son of the female reported that she was waiting at the hot pools while he walked to the parking lot to get the car. He said he returned 45 minutes later and she was gone. He reported that his mother has no medical conditions. He added that they have been searching for her along with the hot pools staff members and supervisor. Police requested Parks Search & Rescue and Police Dog Section.
At 7:14 p.m. she was located at the parking lot where the car was previously parked. She had reported that she walked the Redstreak hike down to the parking lot. She did not require any medical attention. Parks SAR and PDS were cancelled. The complainant was upset with mother for leaving the area, however he was very thankful that she was safe and sound.
