For the Townsman
Cranbrook RCMP would like to give kudos to our citizens and visitors over the Sam Steele weekend.
Police calls for service dropped by over one third compared to last years event and only three 90 day roadside prohibitions were issued in the city for impaired driving with one more in the Wycliffe area.
Cranbrook detachment’s goal for the event was deterrence through visibility. Though one impaired driver on our roads is one too many, the relatively low numbers despite substantial increases in road blocks and vehicle checks is indicative of success.
The RCMP would also like to acknowledge the Sam Steele Society for the detailed coordination that contributed to the safety plans as well as acknowledge their partners—East Kootenay Traffic Services and the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for their participation.
Police Report - June 13-20
Cranbrook RCMP have noticed a steady increase in thefts from properties (yard and open garage doors/ car ports) and thefts from unlocked vehicles. Residents are encouraged to ensure doors are locked at your residence and vehicles.
Summer weather tends to bring out more opportunistic criminals looking for easy targets. Citizens are encouraged to call if they notice suspicious activity, in particular persons who are prowling on yours or your neighbours’ properties.
It was a busy week on the beat, with Cranbrook RCMP responding to 164 calls for service over the past week, June 13 (6 a.m.) to June 20 (6 a.m.), according to a press release from Staff Sergeant Hector Lee.
• There were five Immediate Roadside Prohibition issued (alcohol related)• Five collisions were reported — one resulted in a fatality, as reported last week. Another collision was with an elk, two others were parking lot accidents with property damage, and one involved an impaired driver who rolled his vehicle on King Street northwest of town (the driver issued a 90-day prohibition).
• There were three hit-and-run incidents. One incident involved a police car where a female operating an ATV struck the police car and tried to flee. She was apprehended and charged with several Motor Vehicle Act offences. Other two incidents were fairly minor in nature, police say.
• Eleven mental health calls were reported, with three individuals apprehended.
• There were four assault complaints over the past week — one of these was domestic in nature. One complaint proved to be unfounded, another was “historical” in nature, and the fourth involved an alleged unprovoked attack by a motorist on a pedestrian after words were exchanged.
• Ten thefts were reported: two involving shoplifting. The majority of the other theft complaints were related to items being stolen from yards or insecure vehicles.
• No Break and Enters were reported this week past.
• There were three reports of mischief to property.
• There were two drug seizures, one involving marijuana. The other resulted from a vehicle stop by Cranbrook RCMP members on June 19, resulting in the arrest of three adult males. A substantial amount of cocaine was seized along with some marijuana. The vehicle was also seized as offence related property. Two men will be appearing in court next month on various drug charges.