HOPE SEARCH AND RESCUE UPDATE
With bathing weather around the corner, search and rescue manager Mario Levesque is giving Hope residents a somber warning about water safety. Water-related accidents are one of the most common causes of death in parks, forests and waterways of B.C. according to Levesque.
“Many drowning victims were not trying to swim but were simply engaging in activities as innocent as wading, taking photos or playing along the stream bank,” Levesque wrote. “Those victims attempting to swim in swift waters overestimated their swimming ability and underestimated river currents.”
What can seem peaceful, warm and shallow can prove to be deceptively cold and easily overwhelm the strongest individuals.”
To keep safe as the spring snow melts, Levesque advised residents to be aware of water temperature, which can be deceptively warm but is often extremely cold just below the surface. Also pay attention to currents, as even slow currents can take strong swimmers towards hazards. Keep your eyes open to debris in the water, slippery and uneven river bottoms as well as other features on the river bottom: trees, branches, logs and gaps between rocks.
Levesque offered nine safety tips when around water:
1. Check water conditions before heading out on an adventure and inform someone of your plans before heading out. Water conditions can be found at visitor info centres, park offices, with park wardens and in weather alerts.
2. Inquire about and follow swimming regulations where you are hiking and adventuring.
3. Choose swimming areas carefully.
4. Wear a properly sized life jacket for all river activities.
5. Stay on trails and developed areas when near rapids or moving water.
6. Keep a close eye on children.
7. Never walk, play or climb on slippery rocks and logs near water.
8. Don’t swim or wade upstream from a waterfall, even if the water seems shallow or calm.
9. Be cautious of sudden drop offs.
If you do fall in the water, Levesque instructs to use the defensive position: lie on your back, with your feet pointing downstream and keep your body and legs on the surface so you can see your toes.
“Never go in the water after someone in trouble. Rescue from shore and get help,” he wrote.
HOPE FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Complaints of burning are on the rise as residents conduct clean up in their yards, Fire chief Tom DeSorcy stated in an email. He added residents do not appreciate the smoke in the air andvolunteer fire fighters end up having to go on these calls.
“Open burning in residential areas of Hope is limited to campfires for the purposes of food preparation or warmth, burning clean dry firewood and cooking charcoal or propane devices,” he stated.
“Residents are asked not to burn yard and garden waste in favour of our weekly curbside pickup of garbage and recycling.”
HOPE RCMP UPDATE
BY STAFF SGT. KAROL REHDNER
This week is National Volunteer Week and I would be very much remiss if I did not mention the fantastic work that our Hope Crime Prevention office does day in and day out. The people that volunteer all have one common goal — to help the people of Hope. These volunteers are a wealth of information; they take part in and lead community discussions, for example, senior safety; they assist road safety initiatives; they conduct proactive community patrols. All of this is being done with the sole purpose of giving back and supporting the community they live in. Please take the time to stop and chat. Nothing would make them happier.
Hope RCMP members responded to an incident last week that occurred at a local school. A group of children were approached by an adult in a vehicle and a brief verbal exchange took place. The children advised a teacher of the incident which then lead to police involvement. The investigation determined that there was absolutely no criminal intent but an acknowledgment of poor judgment. Hope RCMP want to reiterate that there is no risk to the public resulting from this investigation. Hope RCMP wish to comment upon the positive actions of the children who remained calm and responded exactly as they should have.
A review of the crime statistics for the month of March 2018 again showed a decline. Overall crime against persons was down 48 per cent in comparison to the same point last year and property crime was down 16 per cent in comparison to the same point last year. Overall Hope RCMP members have responded to five per cent fewer calls for service than at the similar point last year.
Hope RCMP Const. Ryan Feser is being honoured this week for his work in combatting impaired driving over the past year. The Alexa Award is handed out yearly to police officers throughout B.C. that have committed to, identified and removed from the public roadways impaired drivers. A minimum of 25 impaired driving investigations are required to be considered for the award and Ryan achieved this for the second year in a row. Road safety is one of the pillars of the Hope RCMP annual performance plan as identified by the people of Hope.
Hope RCMP members executed a warrant to search last week upon a residence in the 62000 block of Flood Hope Road. Members have identified what is believed to be fraudulent documents, which were seized along with electronic devices. A person was taken into custody and charges are pending as the investigation continues.
The Hope Standard provides weekly updates from Hope’s fire, rescue and police services, to keep the community informed of crime and public safety. If you have a news tip to share, email us at news@hopestandard.com.
