Columbia Valley detachment, supported by the Windermere and District Lions Club and Tim Hortons, will be having an open house at the detachment May 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Lions Club will be putting on a beef-on-a-bun with Tim Hortons also having treats on-hand. This is open for children to come with their parents and grandparents to have a tour of the office and get to know some of the officers and volunteers on-hand. The Lions Club will be printing young children and leave with parents for their records.  All the detachment toys, ATVs, snow machines, boats and cars will be available to view and jump on. Kids enjoy touring the cells.  Good photo opportunity. We are expecting our police dog and handler to be present to answer questions and do a display. This is subject to the police dog being free to attend.  The Lions Club is preparing food for well over 100 people. Grade three kids are doing a drawing competition and their posters will be throughout the office.

Hope to see you there.  A winner from each school will be declared the Police Chief for the day and wear an RCMP shirt during school hours.

Over the course of the last week, Columbia Valley detachment received five complaints of theft from vehicles.

Police believe that these thefts are happening in the early morning hours. Tools are being stolen, as well as money and any other valuable items left in the cars.  In all instances the vehicles were left unlocked or a window left open for easy access. Thieves are lazy and don’t want to make noise to alert you to a problem.  Remove your valuables from the vehicle or keep them out of sight and lock your vehicle. Taken from one of the vehicles was a Paslode Framing nailer.

April 22

A 2003 Arctic Cat Quad was stolen from Edgewater Hilltop Golf Course.  Anyone with information is requested to contact the detachment.

April 26

Columbia Valley detachment responded to a single vehicle accident on Kootenay Road #3, involving a cement truck driven by a 51-year-old male driver.

The load shifted on a curve, causing the truck to tip over and enter the ditch, trapping the driver.

Windermere Fire Department responded and were able to get the driver out of the vehicle. The driver received minor injuries.  The driver was charged with speed to fast for road conditions.

April 28

Columbia Valley detachment attended to a disturbance call on Stoddart Creek Road.  A 40-year-old male was threatening to harm himself.  The male was arrested under the Mental Health act.  As a result of the actions of the male, he is also charged with assaulting a police officer and threatening a police officer.  The male was taken to Invermere District Hospital and later to Cranbrook hospital.

April 30

Columbia Valley detachment members attended to the 1000 block of 10th Street to assist the ambulance attendants dealing with a distraught male who was intoxicated and had taken some sleeping pills.  To ensure the safety of the male, he was taken to Invermere District Hospital.

May 1

Columbia Valley detachment members attended to a complaint of a vehicle in the ditch on Westside Road.  A 56-year-old male was identified as the driver.  The male displayed signs of having consumed liquor. An ASD demand was given and the male blew a fail.  The driver had his licence suspended for 90 days and the vehicle impounded for 30 days.

Marko