Clearwater RCMP have been advised of two recent serious incidents regarding vehicles not stopping for school buses while the stop signs were out and the lights flashing.In one incident, a white Ford failed to stop for a school bus on Old North Thompson Highway near Dutch Lake Road, narrowly missing a young girl walking from the bus across the road.
In the second incident, a vehicle passed the school bus in the ditch near Aspen Auto Service while children were walking across the highway.
Please contact the RCMP immediately if you have any information regarding a vehicle not stopping for a school bus. The best information to provide would be, firstly, a licence plate and, secondly, a vehicle description.
For the safety of the school children, RCMP will fully enforce any violations that occur. Not stopping for a school bus carries a $167 fine.
Speed in school zones
Clearwater RCMP remind motorists to slow down in all school zones in all local communities. Fines for speeding in a school zone range from $196 to $253.
Children are also required to be fastened into the vehicle correctly, no matter how short the drive to school might be. Motorists can also be fined for smoking in a vehicle with children under the age of 16 years old.
Dog complaints
The RCMP have recently received numerous calls about dog complaints in Clearwater and Vavenby.
Police advise all pet owners that you are responsible to supply your pets with adequate food and water, to keep them secured on your own property and to have them on a leash when you are out in public. Failure to do so could lead to civil action (lawsuit) taken against you.
Please show consideration for other members of your communities, including keeping our children safe.
Cow versus truck
On Sunday, Oct.-13, Clearwater RCMP responded to a report of a single vehicle collision involving a cow.
A vehicle was traveling northbound on Clearwater Village Road. When rounding a corner, the driver saw a cow on the road. The driver swerved to avoid a collision and went off the road, striking a Telus telephone pole. The vehicle, the ATV in the back of the truck and telephone pole all suffered substantial damage.
Police appreciate the local residents who rounded up the cows and returned them to the owner’s property.
Stolen BBQ
On Oct. 16, Clearwater RCMP were advised of a theft of a Webber barbeque (value $1,600) from Birch Island Campground.
Anybody knowing the whereabouts of this barbeque is asked to contact Clearwater RCMP so it can be returned to its rightful owner.
Break and enter/theft at Clothes Company Thrift Store
Clearwater RCMP are looking for public assistance in regards to a break and enter at the Clothes Company Thrift Store that occurred on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Various electronics items and tools were taken and damage to the building was sustained.
The Thrift Store is run by local volunteers and all of the proceeds raised are donated for the purchase of equipment at the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.
If you have any information in regards to the theft, please contact the Clearwater RCMP
Any reports provided can be made anonymously, if requested.