As the Detachment Commander I took one of our Detachment Services Assistants with me to District Meetings in Swift Current. We dressed up for our Regimental Dinner and had a great time with friends and colleagues from across southern Saskatchewan. Our guest speaker was Graham Warner of Warner Industries. Quite an inspirational talk about motivation, determination and positive attitude. His brave and courageous wife Dionne was also in attendance. It was an honour to meet and talk with them as he is a one time cancer survivor and she is a nine-time cancer survivor. It is worth the google search to learn about this amazing couple.
We had a good week with only one false alarm and no accidental 911 calls.
• An investigation was initiated after a process server was assaulted. The victim did not want charges, however, I have checked off one more job I would not want to do upon retirement.
• Members continue to receive complaints of individuals breaching their release conditions, however, all investigations have resulted in no charges so far. I can’t get into more detail being I am trying to keep these articles as professional as possible.
• A parent does not want their adult children to know where they are. It is unfortunate, but this does happen. Unfortunately, once we determine the parent is okay, our job is done. We are not permitted to provide you their phone number or address, regardless of the circumstances. We also don’t care if you are a lawyer, know a lawyer or have a lawyer. We also don’t care who you are or who your Dad, Mom, Uncle or Aunt is. Sorry it does not affect our investigation, nor should it.
• Check your credit card bills. We received two complaints of fraudulent use of credit cards this week.
• We had an attempted break and enter. No access was gained but they sure did a number on the door knob.
• We had a prisoner turn themselves in on warrants out of several jurisdictions and they were subsequently transported to Regina where the wheels of Justice will turn slowly.
• Another individual was likely breaching their residence clause, however, we were just happy to see they chose to leave and go back to Regina.
• Members patrolled after we had a report of a cow out of the pasture. Patrols were made and we did not locate the cow. That said, it could have been a steer or a heifer. We did not get adequate detail. My thoughts are, like many, it realized the grass was not any greener on the other side of the fence.
• We had a RID call (Report Impaired Drivers) which resulted in Members locating the vehicle and issuing a court appearance for driving while suspended, a $360 liquor ticket, a 72-hour driving suspension and a three-day vehicle seizure.
• Another call of a possible impaired driver was received and we were successful in locating the driver. This individual was provided a $360 open liquor ticket and charged for Impaired Driving and Refusal, being they chose not to co-operate with our investigation. The vehicle was seized for 30 days. Remember refusal is easier for us to prove and carries the same penalties as impaired driving. Breath samples up to 120 mg% result in a minimum fine of $1500. Samples over 160 mg% result in a minimum fine of $2000 and refusal is a minimum of $2000
• An individual was reported to be driving erratically. Patrols did not locate this individual, however, the Member called the registered owner who stated there was a family emergency. Just as a friendly reminder there is truly no emergency that justifies speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign or driving in a manner that endangers others. If you want to get there, obey the laws and you will get there. Saving a few seconds or even a minute is not worth the grief and stress caused.
• Members wrote approximately 25 tickets and issued approximately 35 warnings over the last week.
• We issued tickets for driving while suspended - (Court), Fail to produce registration - $100, fail to properly secure licence plate- $100, fail to stop at stop sign - $230, seatbelt - $175, pass on right when unauthorized to do so - $150, have auxiliary lamps mounted higher than headlamps - $115 and most expensive speeding tickets were for $320 and $538.
• We issued warnings for driving with undue care and attention, no insurance, fail to stop at stop sign, speeding, fail to produce registration, inadequate headlamps, fail to wear seatbelt, operate ATV without proper helmet or eye wear, and fail to display licence plate.
• We issued inspection notices for mudflaps or fenders, inadequate windshield, inadequate headlamps, fail to produce drivers licence, cover or remove auxiliary headlamps, window tint and inadequate tail light.
• We are going to try and give out some quotes. From Jacqui Trippel. “You can’t talk your way out of a ticket, but you can sure talk your way into one”.
