By Cpl. Jeff Witzke

This past week, April 3 through April 9, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 63 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

Suspicious fires in Canal Flats under investigation

On April 6, the Canal Flats Fire Department notified the RCMP of recent fire activity that had occurred near the Martin Morigeau Elementary School. The first fire was located on Monday (April 3) and put out without incident. The following day another fire was located in the same area and again extinguished without incident. Both fires were started on old tree stumps and were intentionally set on fire. On Wednesday a tree stump in the same area was observed with dry pine needles and small kindling stacked on the top but was never lit on fire. BC Wildfire Service and the RCMP are investigating these fires. If anyone has any information with regards to these fires please contact the local RCMP detachment.

Hold and Secure prompts swift action

On April 6, Columbia Valley RCMP was made aware that all schools in Invermere and Windermere initiated a Hold and Secure as a result of some information they had received regarding a student mentioning on social media that they had access to weapon(s). No actual threats were made toward the schools or any students. Members were able to locate the student, who was not at the school, and confirmed they had no weapons nor were any threats made.

Prohibited driver stopped and vehicle impounded

On April 7, a member of the Columbia Valley RCMP was on patrol on Highway 93/95 when they observed a vehicle being driven by prohibited driver. A traffic stop was conducted where it was confirmed the driver was in fact still prohibited and suspended from driving. The driver was issued an Appearance Notice and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

– Cpl. Jeff Witzke is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander

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