Expect RCMP to be checking vehicles in Olds soon to make sure they're ready for the coming winter.
Expect checkstops too – especially as the Christmas holiday season approaches.
Cpl. Mike Black of Olds RCMP gave that notice during an Olds and District Community Policing Advisory Society meeting at the Olds Council Chambers Sept. 23.
Bowden town councillor Wayne Milaney brought the idea up, noting he saw a vehicle inspection taking place recently along Highway 27 near the RCMP station. He asked Cpl. Black how that went.
Black didn't have those numbers at his fingertips but said at least one more vehicle check is expected to occur soon.
“I think we're going to do another vehicle equipment check, just because wintertime's coming and visibility becomes an issue,” he said, noting another factor is that children are back in school again.
“Things have been good, but we always see an increase in equipment violations taking place at this time of year, up until maybe mid-November,” Black said.
Milaney asked if RCMP plan to undertake any seminars, etc., to educate Olds College students about the dangers of actions like drinking and driving.
Black said no such seminars are planned at the moment, but that doesn't mean they can't organize something along those lines.
“We're available. It's just a phone call away for somebody at the college to say ‘we need somebody to come and talk about' whatever. We'll be there for sure,” he said.
Black was also asked if Olds RCMP plan to hold any checkstops.
“Checkstops are happening all the time; as many as we can get in,” he said. “That'll ramp up of course, come the holiday season and things like that.”
He noted the Olds detachment is currently short about three officers. However, Black said one way around that might be to obtain help from sheriffs or town officials.
