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Radium considers Citizens On Patrol
Columbia Valley RCMP Report
On the weekend I met with a group of approximately 20 citizens in Radium Hot Springs who have expressed an interest in initiating Citizens On Patrol in Radium.
Citizens On Patrol had existed in the past but the numbers due to people moving decreased to the point that no patrols have been going on for a number of years. A member of the Fairmont Citizens on Patrol also attended the meeting to answer any questions in regards to how patrols are conducted and what some of the do’s and don’ts are for patrol members. From the large group that attended it is felt that the numbers that will be required will be obtained. The person who arranged the meeting will be contacting the detachment in the near future to see what the next step is to get this program activated. Radium’s mayor and council support this program along with the community and willing to do what they can to ensure this gets off the ground.
Dutch Creek B&E
At 2:25 p.m. on April 17 Columbia Valley Detachment received a report of a Break and Enter at a Seasonal residence in the Dutch Creek area. Nothing was reported missing at the time. Anyone with information is requested to contact the detachment.
BB gun shooter ask to shoot elsewhere
Columbia Valley Detachment members received a report at 7:30 p.m. on April 19 of two males displaying what appeared to be handguns in the park near Hillcrest Apartments near 10th Ave. and 13th St. On attending it was determined that a 21-year-old male and friend were in possession of a BB gun and were shooting at cans. The male apologized to the police who advised them to do their practice in a more private setting. The police responding to any such complaints, although found to be harmless after the fact, can result in a serious actions taken by the police until determined to be unfounded.
Police assist in hydro pole fire
Columbia Valley Detachment members were requested to attend and assist the Radium Fire Department at 6:45 a.m. on April 20 in the area of Hobbit Frontage Road in regards to a hydro pole catching fire.
Women jailed for passing out in bar
Columbia Valley RCMP members responded to a complaint of a female passed out at the Whitehouse pub in Windermere at 12:15 a.m. April 21. A 21-year-old female from New Westminster was found to be highly intoxicated. BC Ambulance attended the scene and while attempting to evaluate the female she became un-cooperative and attempted to walk away. The female was arrested for being drunk in public and lodged in cells for the night.
Men charged after disturbance
Columbia Valley Detachment members were advised at 1 a.m. on April 22 of a complaint of disturbance in the local bars in town.
As a result two males were charged. A 22-year-old male was charged with causing a disturbance, consuming in a public place and littering and a 29-year-old male was charged with breaching his conditions on a previous charge of being out beyond his curfew. The males will appear in Invermere Provincial court July 9.
I was young once!
A while back I told you of some of my many experiences working in Rossland. As stated in the past, working a small town provides you little opportunity to let your hair down and blow off some steam: high expectations where you have to live and lead by example. People are always watching and ready to criticize every move you make. However, when I arrived there, new to the community, I got hooked up with a few guys that one of the other officers hung out with. Ron Cox and gang I refer to them. Coxy’s son to my surprise lives in the valley and is with the Windermere Fire Dept. Small world. Ron told his son this story, hence I’m a legend in his eyes. Other than this small group no one really knew who I was.
First week in Rossland I learn they have this yearly event called “Golden City Days.” To make matters worse they have this Golden City Saloon set up above an abandoned garage just for this special weekend. I should have known not to try to keep up to my new found friends when it came to just a few drinks. They worked hard and they played hard. I work hard and unfortunately tried to keep up with them.
Fortunately the wife was out of town this particular weekend. A dangerous coincidence. There I am later in the evening, dancing on the table, taking my shirt off (younger days it was a six pack) and letting my hair down with the comfort that no one knows who the new guy is. The mayor, who was playing the town sheriff at the saloon, told me I couldn’t dance on the table. My new found buddies later informed me that everyone wanted to know who the guy was dancing and taking off his shirt. New buddies told them, “That person you refer to is the new RCMP officer who just transferred in.” Word was from pretty much everyone who learned this was, “ I think he’s going to fit in and we’re going to like him.” The following year for Golden City Days I had to work. I walked up to security and warned them to control the drunks or else. I’m older, wiser, more mature, my six pack is now a keg and rather than 12 hours, it takes four days to recover. Coxy came into the office out of the blue awhile back. Hence this flashback.
S/Sgt Marko Shehovac, Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment NCO
