The Sundre RCMP detachment received 231 calls for service from June 1 to July 5, including the following:
• Property offences (such as break and enters and thefts) 42
• Motor vehicle collisions 28
• Disturb the peace 18
• Driving complaints 17
• Mischief 17
• Suspicious persons/property/ vehicles 16
• False alarms/911 hang-ups 12
• Person offences (such as assaults and threats) 9
• Animal calls 9
• Abandoned motor vehicles 7
• Firearms complaints 6
• Impaired drivers 5
• Fraud 5
• Harassing communication 3
• Off-highway vehicle collisions 2
The following are brief summaries of the more notable calls.
Motorist refuses police advice to go home
On the evening of June 2, members of the Sundre RCMP detachment received several calls from the public regarding a red pickup truck being driven around the Sundre area by a drunk driver. Police were able to locate the truck — but without its driver — parked in the local ATB branch's parking lot. Police learned that the registered owner was suspended from driving for an impaired infraction out of Calgary a few months ago. The registered owner was located by police milling around in the parking lot of Wild Bill's restaurant. He was informed about the numerous complaints and directed by police to walk home. Officers then positioned themselves where they could watch the truck and after a short wait, they observed the man return and drive his truck away. Police then initiated a traffic stop just a few blocks away.
Tracey Lee Reid, 46, of Sundre, was criminally charged with driving while disqualified and refusing to provide a breath sample. As Reid was suspended from driving from his previous impaired charge out of Calgary, his truck was seized and impounded for 30 days. He was scheduled to appear in Didsbury provincial court on July 4, and the case was adjourned until Aug. 8.
Sundre Pro Rodeo
The Sundre RCMP detachment is able to state that there were no serious issues over the recent pro rodeo weekend. The detachment brought in additional resources from neighbouring detachments to assist with providing a safe and family-oriented environment for the rodeo. Officers conducted proactive patrols inside and outside during the course of the event. Police received only a few calls for service regarding the event and issued a few liquor tickets. A couple of individuals who overindulged during the festivities were provided a room in the hoosegow after the cabaret. Overall, policing the rodeo event went very well this year.
July long weekend
From Thursday, June 30 to Saturday, July 2, the Sundre detachment received 30 calls for service. The detachment brought in additional resources from neighbouring detachments to assist with policing over the weekend in the Sundre area. The West Country experienced a few issues, one of which was a 17-year-old female who lost control and crashed a dirt bike she was riding. She suffered serious lower body injuries and was transported by EMS to receive medical treatment.
The large storm that passed through the area after the fireworks had members of the Sundre Fire Department and the RCMP responding to an abandoned residence that was on fire near Garrington Bridge. The residence appears to have been struck by lightning during the evening storm.
On July 2, police responded to the Westward Ho Campground for reports of a man running around wielding an axe. The man was located and arrested without incident. The investigation revealed that he and his girlfriend had an argument. The man got angry and kicked out his girlfriend's chair from underneath her causing her to fall to the ground. A physical altercation with a family member in the camping group ensued and the man was briefly subdued, but he quickly grabbed an axe and began to chase the other persons in his camping group around the campsite. Members of the group yelled for help and the man threw down the axe and attempted to flee. Police were called and located the man without incident. Brett Declute, a 28-year-old male from Calgary, is facing criminal charges of assault and assault with a weapon. Declute is schedule to appear in Didsbury provincial court on Aug. 22.
