The Sundre RCMP detachment would like to take this opportunity to remember and honour the sacrifices that Canadians made in armed conflicts. Sundre members will be participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies at River Valley School and Sundre High School. Your local RCMP members will also be participating in the Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 223 in Sundre.
The Sundre RCMP detachment received 350 calls for service from Sept. 9 to Nov. 5, including the following:
Motor vehicle collisions: 83
Property crimes (includes mischief, frauds, thefts, break and enter): 53
Crime prevention, mental health calls, assistance to public and other agencies: 47
Person crimes (includes assaults, harassment, threats): 39
911 hang-ups/false alarms: 28
Traffic complaints: 23
Suspicious person, vehicle or property: 18
Breach of peace/cause disturbance: 15
Breach/fail to comply with court order: 13
Animal calls: 12
Lost and found: 11
Impaired drivers: 10
Firearm offences (such as careless use and improper storage): 5
Missing persons and well-being checks: 5
Abandoned motor vehicles: 4
Drugs: 3
Sudden deaths: 3
Arson: 1
Drive while disqualified or suspended: 1
Liquor Act: 1
Hunting season tips
With hunting season in full swing, conservation officers and the RCMP will be out patrolling and conducting random compliance checks. Here are some other helpful tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable hunting season.
Please ensure that your off-highway vehicles are properly insured with up-to-date registration. Users must have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) for firearms, as well as the required valid hunting permits readily available to produce if asked by a peace officer. Make sure you are familiar and in compliance with firearm laws, transport and their handling.
Firearm safety is paramount, so abide by the basic firearm rules. Remember to always treat all firearms as though they are loaded, control the direction of your muzzle, know what is behind your target and do not put your finger on the trigger until you have a sight picture and made the conscious decision to shoot. The criminal, civil and moral liability should an innocent person get wounded or killed is huge. Do not trespass on private land unless you have permission. A property owner's bad experience with one hunter will ruin it for everyone else with having the property owner restricting access. If you have permission, respect the owner's land.
Gear preparation is another key element, so make sure you pack properly and have the essentials like fire-starting materials, inclement weather gear, basic first aid items, food and water. Your pack should last you at least 24 hours should you suffer an injury, get lost or have the weather turn for the worse. Also tell your loved ones where you are going and when they should expect you back. Best of luck to all and please respect the land!
Impaired driver tries to flee
During the early morning of Oct. 16, police received a report of a possible impaired driver who was driving very erratically and dangerously. Police saw the car driving west at a high rate of speed through Sundre. The car failed to stop at the traffic light and continued west on Main Avenue. The car slowed but failed to stop for police. The driver then took off westbound on Highway 584, dangerously fast. Police did not pursue the vehicle but the officer did manage to make a note of identifying particulars of the vehicle and the male driver. With the assistance of the Parole Board of Canada and the Calgary Police Service, the driver was identified as Brent Naugler of Calgary, who was on parole for numerous property offences. Naugler's parole was revoked and he was placed back in jail for his reckless behaviour.
Didsbury driver nabbed for driving impaired
During the early morning of Oct. 23, police conducted a roadside stop of a vehicle near River Valley School. The driver showed indication of alcohol consumption and the driver was subsequently arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle. The male was transported back to the detachment where he provided breath samples, as legally demanded by the police officer, which revealed a value over the legal limit. Bryce Dole, 21, of Didsbury was charged criminally for impaired operation. He was released to appear in provincial court in Didsbury on Dec. 5.
Sundre senior charged for impaired operation
During the evening of Oct. 30, police were called to the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 587 for a two-vehicle collision between a pickup truck and a van. EMS and fire crews also attended and treated the injured. The police investigation revealed that the driver of the van was attempting to turn east on the Bowden highway when it was struck from behind by the pickup truck. Fortunately, there were no major injuries reported as a result of the collision. The female driver was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and transported back to the detachment. The female provided breath samples, as legally demanded by the police officer, which revealed a value over the legal limit. Dorothy Lucas, 79, of Sundre was charged criminally for impaired operation of a motor vehicle. She was released to appear in provincial court in Didsbury on Dec. 5.
