Final police beat coverage for '09: mailbox mayhem
By Kyra Hoggan
The final Castlegar police beat story for 2009 (bar any major calamity in the next 30-or-so hours, of course) includes an RCMP plea for public assistance and a heads-up for 2010.
Police are asking the public to come forward if they have any information regarding the damage to – and possible theft from – mailboxes in the 2200 block of Jenisa Road.
Castlegar RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew said the morning hours of Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) saw the RCMP field calls that a number of boxes had been pried open.
“It is not know what, if any, mail was stolen … however the boxes were left insecure and many were empty, so this is a likely possibility,” she said, encouraging anyone with any information about the incident to call the Castlegar detatchment at 250-365-7721.
In other police news, Mathew said drinking-and-driving remains a concern as locals overindulge in the holiday spirit … two local men are facing possible impaired driving charges, while two other motorists had their licenses suspended for 24 hours.
Mathew said police will be out in force, with added manpower, to curtail impaired driving activity in the region.
Finally, Mathew reminded drivers that 2010 will see new cell-phone rules that only allow for hands-free calls while driving – texting or traditional hand-held cell use can communicate a $167 fine to those caught in the act.
New drivers may not even engage in hands-free use – they’re looking at a full ban on all cellphone and electronic devices.
Exceptions to the new legislation include: two-way radios for use in trucking, logging, oil and gas work; calling 911 to report an emergency, and ; police, fire and ambulance personnel making calls in the performance of their duties.
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