#1. ONE KILLED, ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN STREET RACING ACCIDENT
After a street race in Delta left one man dead and another on life support, Delta Police Constable Wave Steinwand warned the public: “Once again we see where racing on public streets can have serious consequences. As a driver, if someone attempts to lure you into a street race, as difficult as it may be, just slowly drive off. It may be his and / or your life you are saving.”
On Monday, August 4 just before 11 p.m., Delta Police observed two vehicles, a Cadillac Seville and a Chrysler 300, street racing southbound on Scott Road in the 9000-block. Police were able to stop the Cadillac, but the Chrysler sped away. The Chrysler turned west on Nordel Way and was traveling at what witnesses describe as a very high rate of speed.
The vehicle then struck a third vehicle, a small Nissan SUV, causing the racing vehicle to lose control, go through a metal guard rail into a very deep ravine where it burst in flames. One occupant was thrown from the vehicle and was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital where he was placed on life support. The second occupant of the vehicle was trapped in the vehicle and died as a result of his injuries at the scene.
Due to the extreme difficulty in accessing the scene in this deep ravine, Nordel Way between Shepherd Way and Brook Road was closed for many hours.
On Tuesday, Delta Police announced that charges of impaired driving, driving over .08 and dangerous driving were being forwarded to Crown for charge approval on the 30-year-old male driver who did stop for police during the street race.
#2. BEAR IN MIND: YOU CAN ENCOUNTER BEARS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
On August 5, at about 9:45 a.m., Coquitlam RCMP responded to a complaint of a female being attacked by a bear which was still at scene. Members responded and destroyed a 250 lb adult black bear in the 1500-block of Bramble Lane, Coquitlam.
On August 6, the Coquitlam RCMP received a 911 call, advising a female was being attacked by a bear. Neighbours and bystanders heard the victim's screams and came to her rescue. They began to throw rocks at the bear in an effort to scare the bear away from the victim. After a few minutes, the bear moved off to the side of the residence. When police arrived, the bear was still only 20 feet from where the victim was being consoled by neighbors. The bear continued to watch the victim with no apparent fear of any noise or other human beings. More officers arrived on the scene and kept an eye on the bear which was now pacing back and forth and breathing heavily. Members shot and killed the bear. At that time, the conservation officer was still 20 to 30 minutes from the scene.
The 49-year-old victim was transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital and was in stable condition, but with serious non-life threatening injuries.
According to information police received from hospital staff , the victim was gardening in her backyard, which backs onto a green belt, when she looked up and saw the bear. She turned and ran and was grabbed from behind by the bear. She suffered major tissue loss from her left arm, head lacerations, broken ribs and numerous puncture wounds and bruises to her body from the bear bitting her and throwing her around.
The RCMP said that the public needs to be reminded that this is an isolated incident, whereby black bears do not routinely attack people. In any event, these animals are wild and unpredictable and should not be approached under any circumstance.
In the event that you encounter other bears in your area, police advise the public to go indoors, and get out of harm’s way.
Contact Wildlife Reporting (24 hour hotline) at 1-877-952-7277. However, if the bear is acting aggressively, call police at 911 immediately.
On August 7, at 7:30 a.m., Coquitlam RCMP received a 911 call from a golfer at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club who witnessed a large bear climbing through a window on a nearby house and crawling inside. The caller also stated that there may have been two bears involved.
When officers arrived at the scene they found a ripped apart screen on an open ground-level window on a house located in the 2200-block of Turnberry Lane. As officers approached the house, a large 400-pound black bear climbed out of the window and walked into the backyard of the residence. The officers made as much noise as possible in an effort to scare the bear back into a forested area, but the bear climbed back through the window into the house. The officers who were concerned for the safety of anyone inside the house knocked on the upstairs door and learned that a family with children were home in an upstairs suite. The family did not know if the tenants of the downstairs suite were home at the time.
The bear once again climbed back through the window and walked into the backyard. Again the officers attempted to scare the bear into the forested area but it would not leave. Still concerned for the safety of any possible occupants of the basement suite and unsure if there was another bear still inside the house, the bear was put down by RCMP officers with the assistance of a conservation officer. Police searched the basement suite to make sure that there was no bear or person insisde.
Later in the afternoon, a second bear was spotted in a residential area near Halifax Street and Lincoln Avenue in Port Coquitlam. Officers again attempted to scare the bear back into a green belt, but the bear appeared unpreturbed and casually walked through 30 to 40 backyards while dumping garbage cans and eating garbage. Officers eventually scared the bear away with a "flash bang."
Police reminded the public to be aware of bears even in built-up areas.
For more information, visit the BC Conservation Officer Service website at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/info/bearaware/index.html
#3. RCMP SPECIALIZED UNITS TAKE OFF AT ABBOTSFORD AIR SHOW
Slap on your helmet, zip up your vest, and step into the shoes of an Emergency Response Team member. ERT is just one of the specialized units at the Abbotsford Air Show. This show, the third largest in the world, kicked off its annual three-day event on Friday, August 8 and several of the RCMP’s specialized investigative teams were on site –Air 1, ISRU, IMPACT, PDS, IBET, the 2009 World Police and Fire Games, and recruiting.
ERT’s highly trained members provide an immediate tactical response to critical and high threat incidents, resulting in the arrests of dangerous offenders. This is the team that is called in to resolve serious crime arrests, hostage rescues, armed barricaded subjects, and protective duties. They’ll be on hand to demonstrate their lock down techniques, equipment, weapons, and gear, which is always a hit with the kids.
The public is encouraged to drop by the RCMP booth and see the specialized units including Air 1, the Lower Mainland Traffic Safety Helicopter. The Air 1 helicopter is one of the latest policing tools being used to help fight and reduce crime. This Eurocopter EC-120B helicopter provides specialized airborne surveillance, traffic and law enforcement, and urban patrol duties.
Members of the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Integrated Road Safety Units (IRSU) will demonstrate the Automatic License Plate Recognition technology used to identify stolen vehicles and high-risk drivers.
Also on hand are members of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team. IMPACT will be displaying one of their bait cars. The highly successful bait car program is responsible for recovering stolen vehicles and capturing people on outstanding warrants. IMPACT currently operates the largest bait car program in the world.
Another favourite with children will be visiting the Police Dog booth. The primary work of Police Dog Services is tracking. Teams are called upon regularly to track missing persons or criminals. By virtue of their keen sense of smell and the function of their oral factory systems, the police dog has the ability to locate and pursue human scent and detect a person up to 275 to 365 meters away.
The Integrated Border Enforcement Team will be demonstrating their investigative skills in tracking individuals who pose a threat to national security. IBET co-operates closely with domestic and US law enforcement and other government agencies to stem the flow of criminal activity on the border between the ports of entry, through enforcement, and the gathering and sharing of intelligence.
BC is proud to be host of the 2009 World Police and Fire Games and their presentation booth will be at the air show. The 2009 Games will involve about 67 sporting events across 46 venues from Chilliwack to Pemberton. There will be a wide range of traditional Olympic style events as well as specifically created events (including shooting sports, police dog, and SWAT events) to test competitors in their chosen fields. It is anticipated that 12,000 competitors will be attending from 70 different countries held on July 31-August 9, 2009.
These specialized units are just some of the many possible career opportunities available in the RCMP, and there has never been a better time to apply. Due to retirements and increasing demands for police officers across the country, the RCMP plans to train up to 2,000 cadets each year. The RCMP are looking to actively recruit potential employees and police officers from BC’s diverse communities. The recruiting team will be available to discuss the new Accelerated Application Process. This process has allowed the RCMP to put 50 potential applicants through the hiring process in 83 days.
The Abbotsford Air Show runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., August 8-10, and the RCMP teams will be on site for all three days. Look for them in the static display area.
#4. ABBY POLICE TO HOMEOWNERS: SECURE WINDOWS AND DOORS AT NIGHT
Despite arresting two men last month in connection with four overnight break-ins Abbotsford Police are urging all residents, regardless of where they live, to secure all doors and windows before going to bed.
In July, Abbotsford Police received more than 10 reports of homes being entered while the occupants slept. In most of the cases, the thieves entered through an insecure window targeting the homeowners’ cash, electronics and identification.
Avalon Crescent, Pandora Avenue, Cordova Court, Old Yale Road., Robertson Avenue, Heritage Drive, Wagner Drive, Cantebury Avenue, Interprovincial Highway (Bradner) and two homes on Eagle Mountain have been targeted.
No one has been injured in any of the thefts but the risk of a violent confrontation is of real concern to police.
Over the last months, two men in connection with four of these break-ins have been arrested but police believe there are others who remain active.
Cat burglaries are crimes of opportunity that can easily be prevented by ensuring windows and other access points are secured before going to bed. This includes removing garage openers and keys outside of the home for thieves to find.
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