Submitted by Staff Sgt. Darren Simons
We had another near miss between a School Bus and a Semi, this time on a grid road. The Semi was northbound on a Grid Road and drove through a yield sign almost striking the school bus. What is even more concerning is the Semi Driver was on a cell phone and likely does not even know he almost hit a school bus.
For those with a good memory, that is 3 incidents where a school bus was almost hit in less than 6 months. Please pay attention when you drive and “PUT DOWN THE PHONE”
On the first day of Whitetail season we had our first complaint of hunters shooting near a residence. Although we could not prove where the shots were fired from.........I think they were too close to the residence. The law states that you must be 500 metres from an occupied residence or from livestock. Our suggestion is know the area and know where your bullet will go if you miss, as many hunters do miss, or so I am told.
We had a call of a Cougar in Arcola. Wait, I know where you are going with this. We are talking about the variety with fangs and claws, well that still doesn’t differentiate does it? We had a call of a four legged animal that has fur and a tail. Conservation and RCMP Members were made aware. Let us be realistic though, there are Cougars in the area.....both types.
Our newest Member Dani ZAYA has arrived and he has already worn his Red Serge at Remembrance Day and attended a Town Hall in Redvers. He is eager to learn and become part of our Community.
We had several Members attend Regina this week to re-certify on the Conducted Energy Weapon. Recent training also acquired is Indigenous Policing, and Field Coaching Program Trainer.
We dealt with two 911 hangup calls. One from a business and another from a cell phone. No Police involvement was required either time.
A victim of a domestic assault attended the Detachment and her spouse is now wanted for Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Assault and Uttering Threats.
We have had another on and off again relationship come to our attention. This time the allegation is one will slash the others tires. This is still under investigation.
Members and staff dealt with several Mental Health and Child Welfare calls. This includes one where our Victim Services Coordinator attended the Hospital to assist them with a situation and ended up being tasked to watch after a young child. With the help of the RCMP our Victim Services Coordinator got the child to school. I have to admit, the Detachment is not generally a child friendly place, but we did our best. Fortunately “Funniest Video’s” occupied the child for a bit. This is not the first time, nor will it be the last time we end up as a glorified child care facility.
We have had a couple people that have been extorted over the internet. The e-mail comes in stating they are aware of web sites that they should not have been on and threats that if they don’t pay they will have the information spread around to their friends. On one instance they told my wife she was “Naughty” and demanded $804.00 from my wife. She just deleted the e-mail and still has the $804.00. We also had one of those too good to be true deals. Would you believe someone has a grant for $50,000.00 and if you accept this grant you only have to send me $1500.00 up front......well, the deal is to good to be true and unfortunately these fraud artists are real good at what they do. Call the Police and never be embarrassed to call the Police. Trust me, we have seen and heard just about everything.
If you get such a call, e-mail or letter please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 Fax 1-888-654-9426 e-mail info@antifraudcentre.ca
The Volunteer Firefighters were busy with a fire in Town, and we attended to provide them whatever assistance we could. They sure don’t get the credit or appreciation they deserve.
An individual realized the licence plate on his vehicle was not his. Upon arriving at the Detachment we discovered it came off a stolen vehicle from Melfort. Our investigation and that of Melfort Detachment is continuing.
We had several calls that we describe as mischief, as in obstruct the lawful enjoyment of property. This includes vandalism and people just being a nuisance. One such individual was intoxicated and causing problems in Arcola while another caused problems in the Carlyle area. We gave them both a place to rest and relax and released them the following morning without charges. What always amazes me is how many people get kicked out of a residence for being, let us say, “Drunk and Stupid” and they think they will be able to find a friend or family member that will let them “Sleep it Off” Being “Drunk and Stupid” is now “Drunk, Stupid and Mad” because they got kicked out of the house they were in. Not my house, well, not my personal house but “Cellblock” yes, there is always room in the inn.
We did have another case where several people were intoxicated and causing problems, but they all departed and did not attract any more attention. Thus no arrests or further calls.
I don’t pretend to understand why some people do things, but really, sending your new girlfriend over to the residence you use to share with your old girlfriend, to get belongings out of a shed. This will likely and did cause issues. Talk about poking the bear.
We had a mischief call outside one business in Carlyle and we are using video to assist in that investigation. Video is also assisting us in a shoplifting investigation in Arcola.
Police Officers are suspicious of pretty well anything. Thus if you choose to sit in your vehicle late at night in a parking lot we will investigate. If you are doing nothing “illegal” we will go on our merry way. That said if you swear and curse at us we become more suspicious. Why, oh why, would someone talk with such language to a Police Officer. We never did find out but they chose to phone in a complaint. As much as I dug I could find no error in the manner the Police Officers acted, nor could the complainants boyfriend.......or possibly ex boyfriend.
Our Curling Rink is not in an ideal location for the students from both schools to get to practice. We are therefore asking everyone to pay extra attention for pedestrians, especially young ones crossing the Highway.
We have had several calls of vehicles travelling without tail lights. Please turn on your headlights when there is fog or it is dark. Trust me, your vehicle will remind you to turn them off. The last thing you want is someone to drive into the rear of your vehicle.
We did respond to all these calls and did not locate most, however, on one occasion we did remove a semi off the road due to safety concerns.
We had a “Traffic Enforcement Blitz” this week and several individuals were dealt with. On one day we had 23 charges involving violations of seatbelts, Infant car/ booster seats, stop signs, speeding, cell phone use, excessive damage to a windshield, vehicle failing to emit red tail light and uninsured vehicles. A further 9 Inspections notices were issued involving daytime running lights and excessive damage to windshield. Members issued another 45 warnings, did 50 light vehicle inspections and charged one individual for Driving While Disqualified under the Criminal Code which resulted in a vehicle impound.
One individual that received a $580 ticket for no insurance, $175 for using licence plates on the wrong vehicle and a warning for having an obstructed licence plate. Some days cheating the system does not work for you. Another individual got the warning for speeding, however, received a $115 fine for not having tail lights that emit red light and a warning for the damage to his windshield.
Another individual also got a warning for speeding but a $115.00 ticket for damage to his windshield.
Most expensive speeding tickets were $288 and $312. Beyond the one day “Blitz” we also gave out tickets for failing to wear a seatbelt, fail to stop at a stop signs, cell phone use as well as inspection notices and warnings for windshields, tail lights, brake lights, head lights, mudflaps, fail to produce registration, fail to change address on drivers licence, and fail to properly secure licence plate.
One individual was caught driving while disqualified criminally in Arcola and they had their vehicle impounded.
We had a report of a minor collision in the hills and the driver ended up finding himself with a 72 hr Suspension, a $360 liquor ticket and $300 ticket under the Marihuana Act. Folks drugs and alcohol and driving do not mix. Simple facts are sooner or later you will be caught or you will kill or injure someone.
