This week, Rimbey RCMP officers responded to 44 calls for service.
The vast majority of complaints were domestic assaults, neighbor disputes, pursuing wanted persons and an internal theft at a business.
During the early morning hours of June 1, a 49-year-old Rimbey man, after a night of indulging in spirits, assaulted his common-law spouse. Officers responded to the residence, however, the man had already fled from the area. Officers from Rimbey, Ponoka, Red Deer and Sylvan Lake patrolled the area surrounding Rimbey for the man but were unable to locate him. Later, the accused turned himself into the Rimbey detachment and was subsequently charged with assault.
Domestic violence continues to be an issue in the community. The Rimbey RCMP actively support the "community initiative against violence" facilitated by the Victim Services Unit (VSU). Confidential information, support and referral are available through this program. Located at Neighborhood Place the first Monday of each month between 7 and 9 p.m. Contact Colleen at the Rimbey detachment for more information.
Nine motor vehicle collisions reported
After many complaints of speeding, police have increased patrols in town and surrounding highways. Many drivers were charged with exceeding the posted speed limit, failing to stop at a stop sign and other traffic related offences. On two occasions in as many months a police vehicle was nearly "T-boned" by drivers running a yield sign.
This week, a man did not take a moment to scrape the frost from his windshield and left in a hurry at 6:30 a.m. The driver jumped in his truck and subsequently nearly wrote-off a police vehicle in less than a block when he ran through a yield sign. Fortunately, the officer was alert and avoided the collision. Unfortunately, for many others the outcome was not so good — there were nine motor vehicle collisions reported.
Beware of fraudsters
Another fraudulent email was received by an elderly woman warning the recipient that if she did not send $30,000 right away to the sender, a "hit man" would be on their way to see her. Officers immediately traced the email to an African account. These international scams are very prevalent. A current list of scams, including the "hit man" is available at www.phonebusters.com Don't be fooled and send money only to trusted charities and businesses.
Another internal theft was reported to police who investigated the matter and subsequently charged an adult female with theft.
There are rules to fishing
Finally, it's a great time of year to take a kid fishing. Please follow the regulations that are available at several vendors. Recently, several trout were found discarded in trash cans at Open Creek. The rules are in place for everyone's benefit — please follow them. This is not an endless resource and must be protected to ensure there are opportunities for us and future generations.
If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please call the Rimbey RCMP detachment at (403) 843-2224 or Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477; #8477 on Telus Mobility; or *8477 on Rogers AT&T
Crime Stoppers is a community program that does work! Do your part and call now.