While the Sundre RCMP kept fairly busy over the rodeo weekend, overall things went very well and there were no major incidents.
Despite the large crowds and full campground, there were no major issues or problems for police and security personnel. Additional police resources that were brought in allowed the RCMP to have a strong visible presence and the capacity to provide the increased level of service that was required to ensure a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone.
The rodeo parade saw a huge crowd with the nice weather and there were no reported problems. However, shortly after the parade, at 12:25 p.m., a westbound vehicle on Main Avenue near Sixth Street SW struck a seven-year-old male pedestrian. The boy was not at an intersection or controlled crossing and "darted" out, narrowly missing one vehicle but making contact with the second vehicle. Investigation revealed the motorist was travelling approximately 30 kilometres per hour and was unable to avoid the collision. The child was treated at the Sundre hospital for a non-serious foot injury. No charges were laid.
Although the campgrounds were full, there were only a small handful of problems that police and security had to deal with.
Only one group of young Sundre residents caused any real problems that resulted in the police and security responding to their campsite during the night of Friday, June 23 due to intoxication and some fights. The matter was resolved without any charges laid, but the group was warned that any further problems might result in eviction from the camping area. Unfortunately the warnings were either ignored or forgotten, because the group had to be evicted the following day for similar problems.
There were numerous liquor act violations throughout the rodeo grounds, but police and security utilized their discretion and gave verbal warnings to the majority of violators, who seemed appreciative of the warning they received.
On Sunday, June 25 at about 4:15 a.m., a young female driver was noted by police to be driving erratically in the camping area with an occupant hanging onto the outside of the vehicle. The driver was issued a 30-day driving suspension for being a GDL driver having consumed alcohol.
Police conducted ongoing patrols and check stops throughout the weekend and laid two impaired driving charges. One offence occurred on Saturday, June 24 at 9 p.m. on Highway 27 near the Sundre Golf Club. The other offence occurred on Sunday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m. after the driver had left the rodeo grounds.
The June 24 Cowboy Cabaret saw a full house, but overall no major issues. S.E.R.T. Security ó as part of their mandate and as a requirement under the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Act ó were not allowing any potential weapons inside the cabaret and this included knives of any kind. The intent of this legislation is to reduce risk and enhance public safety. Security has informed the RCMP that people were very cooperative and there were no issues in this regard.
At about 1 a.m., RCMP and security dealt with an assault complaint at the cabaret. A male had allegedly "sucker punched" another male rendering him unconscious. The male suspect was identified and arrested. However, the investigation revealed that the male who had been punched had been harassing the suspect and trying to provoke a fight. When the male grabbed the suspect from behind, the suspect punched him one time, knocking him to the floor. The male was taken to Sundre hospital with no serious injuries. The suspect was later released without charges.
Following this incident, three adult males seeking justice, who were associated with the male who went to hospital, were arrested for intoxication, causing a disturbance, and trying to re-enter the cabaret after being evicted. The three males were lodged in police cells overnight to sober up, and released the following morning without charges.
In other matters, late on the night of Friday, June 23, police responded to an assault complaint at Swamp Donkey's. The investigation revealed a patron had been ejected from the bar for being intoxicated and causing problems. No charges were laid.
On June 24, at 4:45 p.m., RCMP and EMS responded to an injury off-highway vehicle collision northwest of Sundre on Rig Street. Investigation revealed two people were doubling up a hill, lost control and flipped their quad. The quad rolled onto both occupants, causing serious injury to a 30-year-old female who was the driver. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. The matter is still under investigation.
Last week's edition of the Round Up reported that the cost for enhanced policing has increased this year when the cost of enhanced policing actually has not increased when compared to the previous three years. The cost of enhanced policing in the past three years has been about $5,000. In 2015 and 2016, the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association agreed to pay up to $1,000 to cover that cost.
However, this expense was absorbed by the Sundre RCMP detachment's budget. For this year's rodeo weekend, the association and the Town of Sundre agreed to equally share to pay for projected enhanced policing costs up to $5,000. On the night of June 24, the RCMP also brought in four additional officers who focused on impaired driving enforcement, and that cost was covered through an initiative by the provincial government's Office of Traffic Safety.
Rodeo weekend statistics:
Verbal warnings ó mostly liquor infractions: 35
Transport open liquor: 4
Motor vehicle licensing ñ registration ñ DL: 4
Written warnings motor vehicle infractions: 5
Speeding: 2
Consume liquor in public place: 1
Minor consuming liquor: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Stunting: 1
Operate motor vehicle with improper glazing (tint): 1
Improper disposal of waste: 1 (urinating in public outside cabaret)
