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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
By Cpl. Grant Simpson
This past week was an extremely busy one for the Columbia Valley RCMP. We responded to 114 calls for service. Below is just a small sample of some of the calls we responded to throughout the week.
Impaired operation of a vessel
On June 30, Columbia Valley RCMP was conducting marine patrols on Lake Windermere for the Canada Day Fireworks show that usually starts sometime shortly after midnight. Police were travelling slowly on Lake Windermere due to poor visibility and the many boats on the lake, a dangerous combination.
Police were aware of previous noise complaints for boats on the water this night and checked a noisy boat, which was floating in the middle of the lake around the area of Bay Shore Condos.
Police pulled up next to the boat and tied onto it. Once tied on police spoke with the male in the driver’s seat who identified himself as the operator. The 19-year-old Calgary male said that it was his parent’s boat and he drove it out on this night. Police could see the keys still in the ignition of the boat.
He was upset and speaking in circles and had blood shot red, glossy eyes. He admitted to recent consumption of alcohol and was asked to board the police vessel as there were a total of 13 people on the other boat. Police read the ASD demand and a sample of breath was obtained. The resulting analysis was a fail. The vessel operator was charged and warned for care and control of a vessel and subsequently brought back to the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment where he provided two samples of breath. The results confirmed the vessel operator was impaired. He was issued an appearance notice for October 11 and released to his parents who were waiting at the detachment.
Should have taken the lift home
On July 1, at approximately 3:30 a.m., police were conducting patrols on 13th St. and 7th Ave. in Invermere, when a female waved them down.
Police approached the female. She was not wearing any shoes, was slurring her words, stumbling, and her eyes were squinted and blood shot. The female appeared extremely intoxicated. She identified herself as 29-year-old local resident. She said that some people she knows stole her glasses, purse, and cell phone and that she did not know where they were. Police advised her that she should go home for the night and deal with the issue tomorrow. She commented that the people who stole her stuff are up the hill yelling at her and that she could hear them right now.
Despite their best efforts police could not see or hear anyone! Police told her that they would drive her home; however ,she became verbally aggressive towards police and starting raising her voice. She was angry because she felt that police were not helping her. She then asked police to help her find her stuff over by Copper City Saloon.
Police attempted to reason with her. However, she maintained an irrational and aggressive behaviour, so police arrested her for being intoxicated in a public place. She was brought back to the Columbia Valley Detachment and placed in cells until she sobered up. Once sober, she was issued a violation ticket for being intoxicated in a public place, under Sec 41 of the Liquor Control Act.
Impaired charge for local
On July 2, at 2:33 a.m., Columbia Valley RCMP stopped a 2004 Nissan Frontier on 10th Avenue at 13th Street, in Invermere. Police observed the vehicle come from the Copper City Saloon parking lot and subsequently pulled the vehicle over.
The 35-year-old local male driver’s breath smelled of liquor, he slurred his words while speaking and he swayed a bit on his feet when out of the vehicle. The driver provided two breath samples into two separate ASDs of which both registered ‘FAIL’ readings. As a result his driver’s licence was seized for a period of 90 days as he was issued with a 90 day Immediate Roadside Prohibition. Because of the issuance of this 90 day IRP, his vehicle was impounded for 30 days as well.
Busy weekend ahead; be aware
The Columbia Valley Detachment would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to be aware of other users on our highways and roadways during this busy time of year. This weekend will be particularly busy with many motorcyclists visiting the area and an annual triathlon event in Invermere, which will have many athletes, running and cycling through town. Please share the road and drive safely and courteously.
