According to the Golden/Field RCMP detachment, there have been 463 calls to service over the last two months, with 215 in March and 248 in April.
Of those calls, 12 were persons’ offences, such as assault and uttering of threats, with five in March and seven in April.
There were 35 calls to service for property offences, with 18 in March and 17 in April. Property offences include break and enter, theft, and mischief to property.
Over the course of the two months, there were five Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (IRPs), two in March and three in April, with one impaired driving investigation in April.
IRPs are given when the operator of a motor vehicle blows a “warn” or a “fail” on a roadside screening device or on refusal to blow. You can be made to take a responsible driver program, which can cost an additional $930.
The RCMP also responded to one COVID related report in the month of April.
The average fine for failing to comply with COVID restrictions is $230 and can range from failure to wear a mask, failing to comply with direction, as well as abusive or belligerent behaviour.
Anyone organizing a COVID non-compliant event can be fined up to $2,300.
The RCMP also responded to 113 traffic related calls, with 53 in March and 60 in April.
They also responded to seven collisions in March and nine in April.
With the highway closure rerouting traffic from the Trans-Canada Highway, RCMP have been focusing on education and enforcement initiatives along Highway 95 to help mitigate the extra traffic.
Programs have been in place both within town boundaries, as well as south towards Radium.
“Although we can confirm that a number of vehicle have been stopped for speeding along the corridor, it was good to see most motorist were adhering to speed within the town boundaries,” said detachment commander Sgt. Betty Watson.
“We have been using the speed board display both on this stretch as well as in the school zones and really are getting a good response.”
Watson cited two examples: April 20, from 1- 2:30 p.m., on 10th Avenue N, where out of 792 vehicles, three were speeding; and on April 21, from 2-4 p.m., on 10th Avenue South, where out of 715 vehicles, while other infractions were noted, none were for speeding.
“The increase in traffic was expected and has taken some adjusting for all motorists,” she said.
The RCMP will continue to focus on education and enforcement for the remainder of the closure, which will be in effect through to the end of May.
