Collision on Stewart Road - Photo: Salt Spring RCMP

As of July 1, 2022, Salt Spring Island RCMP have responded to over 1,360 calls in the past six (6) months, 710 calls in this 2^nd quarter alone. In addition to the 710 calls in this quarter, SSI RCMP also conducted 140+ traffic stops with warnings and/or violation tickets issued, 300+ foot patrols in Centennial Park and other areas, and 92 licenced premises checks (bar walks).

During this period, SSI RCMP responded to 9 sex-related offences including 3 sexual assaults and 3 indecent exposures, 108 traffic complaints, and 102 mental-health related complaints. Police also assisted the BC Coroner’s Services on multiple occasions and conducted patrols in Ganges Harbour on the SSI RCMP Marine Vessel.

In the 2^nd quarter of 2022, some of the calls are detailed below:

April:

• Police responded to an Impaired driving call; the driver had crashed the car with multiple passengers on board, some of whom were subsequently transported to Hospital for assessment. After assaulting Police, the driver, who had also been transported to Hospital for assessment, fled; a warrant for his arrest is being sought
• A Break & Enter occurred at a downtown commercial building – video footage showing the two persons was obtained and the investigation is continuing
• SSI RCMP responded to a missing youth; the youth was later found in Vancouver
• A theft of crab pots was reported to Police; no suspects have yet been identified
• In one night, SSI RCMP responded to four separate incidents including 1) an assault, 2) a vehicle collision, 3) a suicidal female who was subsequently transported by Police to Hospital, and 4) an allegation of child abuse where a young child was reportedly grabbed by the throat and choked by a parent
• SSI RCMP received a complaint of squatters living on private property; Police attended and the squatters were gone, leaving debris and belongings behind
• Police conducted a search for a missing male who had taken illicit drugs and then believed people were out to torture and kill him; after a search through the bush, the male was found by Police

Squatters on private property - Photo: Salt Spring RCMP

May:

• In one afternoon/evening, SSI RCMP responded to the following separate incidents: 1) a disturbance downtown, 2) a vehicle collision, 3) a person uttering threats to kill someone, 4) an unwanted male at a local business, 5) a fight downtown, 6) an impaired driver and a 2-vehicle collision on Rainbow Road, 7) a lost female who was returned to her home by Police, and 8) an exposed hydro line touching a tree and causing it to catch on fire in a residential area
• A traffic stop resulted in a mandatory vehicle inspection where multiple vehicle defects were noted
• A male was arrested by SSI RCMP after conducting an indecent act on a local bus
• An impaired driver was stopped by Police; the vehicle was impounded and a 90-day licence suspension ensued, along with all applicable fines
• A male who had his Driver’s Licence suspended was caught driving; a Driving Prohibition was issued and his licence was seized for destruction
• SSI RCMP were advised of a cow wandering on Fulford-Ganges Road; patrols were made and the cow was found to be off the roadway and was later caught by its owners
• A male tried to evade Police after an attempted traffic stop for speeding; the male was caught later that day - multiple charges were laid and his vehicle impounded
• Police were called to an unattended fire left by squatters in a residential area; the fire was extinguished by Police using the unopened cans of liquor left strewn about the campfire
• Police were advised of a fire on Musgrave Road; Police attended and extinguished the fire
• SSI RCMP received a report of a male too intoxicated to safely travel on board a BC Ferry; the male was subsequently banned from travelling on BC Ferries for the day

Musgrave Road fire - Photo: Salt Spring RCMP

June:

• Police were called for a male wearing only his underwear and having a mental breakdown; the scene was made safe by Police and EHS transported the male to Hospital
• SSI RCMP were contacted to check on the well-being of a child after an allegation of a negligent parent; the child was checked and no negligence was currently seen
• A damaged vehicle left an accident scene after failing to report the collision; the vehicle was found and multiple charges were laid
• Police mediated a situation where a tenant was moving out from a residence and wanted her belongings from the landlord’s property
• An intoxicated male was found in downtown Ganges yelling at passing boaters; the male was arrested for being intoxicated in public and held in jail until sober
• Police responded to a report of a cement pumper truck damaging overhead hydro & communication lines
• Police were advised of a fraud of ~$20,000.00; the investigation is continuing
• An intoxicated female who had locked herself in the Centennial Park bathroom was arrested for Causing a Disturbance and being intoxicated in public; she was held in jail until sober
• A male was arrested for an indecent act on Fulford-Ganges Road; after being lodged in cells and later released, the male then took a car without consent, was caught and apprehended again; the vehicle was returned to the owner
• SSI RCMP were asked to conduct a check of a person for mental health purposes and the “unsanitary” state of their residence; the investigation is continuing and allied agencies are involved
• An elderly male who was reported lost was found by passers-by and then returned home by RCMP
• An unconscious male was administered Narcan by Police for an overdose and then transported to Hospital

Multiple traffic incidents occurred during this quarter, including Driving Without Insurance, Driving Without a Licence, Impaired Driving, Speeding, Driving with Unsecured Loads and Vehicles requiring repairs for obvious defects & not in compliance with the Highway Traffic Act or Commercial Vehicle Safety.

Insecure load on flat deck truck - Photo: Salt Spring RCMP

Insecure load on trailer - Photo: Salt Spring RCMP

On June 30, 2022, Police conducted speed enforcement of the public beach area (playground zone) on Cusheon Lake Road. The playground area near the beach is a 30km/hr zone, with the rest of Cusheon Lake Road signed at 50km/hr. 170 vehicles were checked with all 170 cars driving above the speed limit. 145 cars were seen doing 1-20km/hr over the speed limit, 17 cars were seen doing 21-30km/hrs over the speed limit, and 8 cars were seen driving 31-40km/hr over the speed limit. All vehicles driving 20km/hr or more over the speed limit were provided with warnings.

Again, of the 170 cars checked on Cusheon Lake Road that morning, none of them were found to be driving in accordance with the proper speed limit. Enforcement of this area in the upcoming weeks and months will not be limited to warnings. Please slow down.

Boat fire in Burgoyne Bay - Photo: Salt Spring RCMP

Boat fire in Burgoyne Bay - Photo: Salt Spring RCMP