Neither the Sundre RCMP detachment nor the Sundre Fire Department reported any major incidents over the holidays.
"It was pretty quiet," said Cpl. Joe Mandel.
"Everyone was too busy just enjoying themselves with their families I think."
From the RCMP's perspective, it was good that there were no major issues to deal with, which meant officers were also more able to enjoy the holidays, he said.
However, although there were no major issues, that's not to say nothing happened.
On Tuesday, Dec. 29 RCMP received a report that a truck being operated in the area of Westward Ho was struck by a bullet.
"The matter is concerning as the driver could have easily been hit had the bullet penetrated the vehicle fully," said Mandel, adding police are investigating the matter further.
That same day, police were called to Beaver Run Trail regarding a suspicious male. It was later learned that a residence in the area had been broken into. The male had since left the area when police arrived, but members of the public were able to provide information that assisted in identifying the man. A 21-year-old male from Red Deer was subsequently charged for break and enter, he said.
The following day, on Wednesday, Dec. 30, police were called to a home in Sundre. The complainant reported that her 20-year-old brother was causing issues in the home. The male was on court-imposed conditions that he received from a matter out of Cardston, and he was removed peacefully from the home. He was charged for breaching his conditions and remanded into custody to appear in court later this month, said the corporal.
Then, on New Year's Eve, police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle near Tim Hortons. The vehicle stopped but then fled from police, who did not pursue the vehicle due to the risk to the public. Police conducted an investigation and on Saturday, Jan. 2, officers located and arrested the male driver who had previously fled. The male had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Red Deer for another matter. The 31-year-old male faces charges of driving while disqualified, obstruction, dangerous driving and flight from police.
Police are asking residents in the area of Westward Ho to report any suspicious activity. The RCMP have received several complaints of suspicious vehicles as well as break and enters in that area. Residents are encouraged to call 911 or the Sundre RCMP detachment at 403-638-3675 should there be any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area.
The most serious call the fire department responded to was safely resolved. The department occasionally responds to carbon monoxide alarms that are often the result of failing batteries or a malfunctioning monitor, said fire Chief Marty Butts.
However, firefighters responded to an actual carbon monoxide leak in a home just on the outskirts of Sundre to the southeast that was undergoing some renovations. The work unfortunately caused the ventilation system to not operate properly, but the monitor did its job, he said.
"It's good that people have monitors in their house ó they do their job."
Carbon monoxide is a silent, scentless killer.
"You don't know until it's too late. You might go to sleep and not wake up the next day."
Fortunately, no one was harmed in this case and a potential disaster was averted. After the monitor went off, the residents did what they were supposed to ó call 911 and wait outside in their vehicles for firefighters to arrive, he said.
The home is rather large but had only one carbon monoxide alarm, and the owners indicated they should have another, he said.
Having a second monitor is advised as it can act as a backup should the other fail, as well as confirm whether there truly is a leak. If only one rings, it's quite possibly faulty or low on batteries, but if both alarms ring then it's safe to assume there's a danger and that the fire department should immediately be called. It's also a good rule of thumb to check carbon monoxide alarms at the same time as smoke alarms, he said.
The holidays were otherwise non-eventful for the fire department.
"It was super quiet," said Butts.
"Everything else was pretty mellow," he said, adding there were no big fires, although a couple of controlled burns were called in.
Overall, the 2015 holidays felt quieter than in previous years, he said.
Of the few calls the fire department responded to between Christmas and New Year's, there were no motor vehicle collisions. With all the travelling that goes on at that time of year, that was good to see, said the chief.
As the number of people travelling on the roads increases, so too does the potential for collisions. Fortunately, conditions in the area were good, he said.
"It was an awesome holiday season for us," said Butts, adding there were no major calls.
"It's always sad when you see people lose their homes during the Christmas season ó or any time ó but those kinds of fires are heartbreaking."
The Sundre Fire Department has had its share of Christmastime fires in the past. But technology has improved and the lights on Christmas trees don't heat up as much as they used to, and people are increasingly careful placing their tree and later getting rid of natural trees, which can dry up and pose a fire danger, as soon as possible, he said.
