POLICE BEAT: Christina Lake Fire Rescue Department called out three times for same accident
By Erin Perkins
A rolled over semi-trailer on the Paulson Summit created quite a commotion for local firefighters over the weekend when they were called out to respond three times for the same accident.
“We went on a wild goose-chase three times,” said Christina lake Fire Rescue Department fire chief Ken Gresley-Jones.
The semi-trailer loaded with metal had gone off the road about a quarter kilometer west of the Paulson Summit on Friday, Oct. 19 due to slippery road conditions. Christina Lake Fire Rescue Department, along with the ambulance and Rossland Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene on Friday, only to find emergency personnel had already been there. They were then called out two more times on Saturday, Oct. 20 for the same thing, said Gresley-Jones. They had to attend each time, not knowing until they arrived that it was the same accident scene.
Gresley-Jones does not want to discourage people from calling 911 when they see an accident, however, before calling, look around at the scene for a yellow bag or ribbon on the vehicle or around the area.
“If you come across and accident scene and there’s yellow tape or a yellow bag, that indicates emergency personnel have already been there, have checked it out and it’s safe,” said Gresley-Jones.
After leaving a scene, emergency personnel will place a bright yellow bag that says “Checked by Emergency Personnel” beside the area filled with sand or tied to the vehicle, said Gresley-Jones.
When you see that, there’s no reason to call the accident in.
This weekend’s call outs involved more than a dozen people from two communities. When someone calls 911 responders must treat every situation as serious until they know otherwise. False alarms cost money and valuable time.
Police looking for owner of hockey bag filled with fishing gear
The Grand Forks RCMP are looking for the owner of a hockey bag filled with fishing tackle that was turned into RCMP on Thursday, Oct. 18.
The bag had been found in an undisclosed area of Grand Forks.
“We believe it was stolen and quickly discarded after the thief discovered the bag’s contents,” said Grand Forks RCMP staff sergeant Jim Harrison.
The bag can be claimed at the Grand Forks RCMP detachment anytime – to prove ownership tell the police what is contained within the bag.
St. John’s United Church vandalized with graffiti
Grand Forks RCMP are looking for the person or people responsible for writing on the wall of St. John’s United Church on Central Avenue in Grand Forks.
The graffiti appeared overnight and was reported to police at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 19.
“If anyone sees someone with blue and red spray paint cans call the police right away,” said Harrison, who has no suspects in the incident.
“We don’t get a lot of graffiti, but when we do it is extra frustrating.”
To report a crime or if you have any information about this crime please call the Grand Forks RCMP at 250-442-8288 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Police are reminding people to lock up their vehicles
An iPod, wallet, identification and a pre-paid credit card with $1 left on are missing from a vehicle that was parked on 13thStreet in Grand Forks.
The owner called in the theft on Monday, Oct. 15 at 8:04 a.m. Their 2005 red Pontiac Montana van was parked on the road over night when the incident happened. It had been unlocked at the time, said Harrison.
“We want to warn people please don’t leave your vehicles unlocked and secure your valuables because they tend to grow little feet and walk away,” said Harrison.
