Vanderhoof’s local RCMP detachment lodged 62 files, which included five prisoners, in the past week.
Overwintering construction zone
Speed limit and size of the Mapes Road-Highway 16 construction zone are now adjusted for winter, as work on intersection improvements pauses until next spring.
The limit on vehicle speed is increased from 70 to 80 kilometres per hour, and the zone has been shortened.
Drivers recently expressed concerns to the RCMP on the size, speed limit, and existence of the construction zone. Though the police has no control over speed limits, they can provide input to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Sgt. Svend Nielsen said.
Due to the current setup of the unfinished construction, the speed limit remains to ensure the safety of vehicles travelling within that stretch of the highway.
Previous zone perimeters will return as construction resumes in spring.
Assault in school
A youth male is arrested for committing assault with a weapon after an incident involving two students and a teacher at Nechako Valley Secondary on Nov. 16.
Though no one was injured, the youth was brandishing the weapon in a way that may hurt people at the scene, Nielsen said.
School staff located the situation quickly and separated the armed youth from the students until the arrival of the police, who arrested the youth immediately under several charges.
He was released later that day with conditions, including to not possess knives or contact the students involved and their places of employment.
“We believe this to be an isolated incident, and there’s no further risk from this youth to the rest of the community,” Nielsen said.
Break-in left tracks
A residence on Fourth Street East by Highway 16 was broken into over the night of Nov. 15, as the homeowner reported on the following morning.
Various items including a flat-screen television and a child’s quad were taken from the home by unknown suspects.
The RCMP, locating nearby footwear impressions in the snow, questioned a person of interest to the case. Investigation continues.
New cop from the Maritimes
Vanderhoof RCMP’s newest addition hails from Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Cst. Ryan Demoliter started in Vanderhoof for his first detachment posting on Nov. 5.
With a university degree in criminology under his belt, Demoliter joins the RCMP for the opportunity to help people, he said.
Although he’s the first police officer in his family, Demoliter’s mother is a civilian member of the RCMP headquarters in New Brunswick. He had the opportunity to learn more about the police force during a “Take Your Kid to Work Day”.
Demoliter is used to a small community environment, as he lived five minutes outside the provincial capital in New Brunswick, he added.
“I picked B.C. because it’s a beautiful province, and I said I want to go to a small town,” he said.
He enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking, climbing, and hiking. “I’ll probably pick up skiing while I’m here,” he added. “I look forward to get to know people and the communities.”
- with files from Sgt. Svend Nielsen, Vanderhoof RCMP