Oceanside Community Safety

It was easy to tell that the first day of fall came yesterday. All I had to do was check my e-mail inbox and count the bright ideas to remind everyone to remember to turn on their lights when driving in the darkness and poor weather conditions. It’s an important thought because your vehicle’s lights not only help you see, they help other road users to see you.

1) 2016- 8930 On September 21st, a theft was reported to have occurred from a construction site in the 800 block of Island Highway West in Parksville. The complainant advised that sometime during the evening of September 19th, culprits stole a red Milwaukee, model #5268-21 rotary hammer drill valued at $550.00.

1) 2016-8849 On September 19th, a theft from and mischief to vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 100 block of Hamilton Avenue in Parksville. The complainant advised that during the early morning hours culprits keyed the entire passenger side of his truck and rummaged through his mother’s unlocked vehicle. Nothing appeared to have been stolen.

1) 2016-8708 On September 16th, a theft was reported to have occurred at a business in the 1200 block of Fair Road in Parksville. The complainant advised that at approximately 2:48 am on September 15th, video surveillance captured a red four door Dodge pickup drive onto the property.

1) 2016-8593 On September 13th, a theft from vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 500 block of Ridgefield Drive in Parksville. The complainant advised that sometime during the early hours of September 11th, culprits entered her unlocked vehicle and stole two pairs of sunglasses and a safety knife.

When my father-in-law from Quebec visited us here in B.C. years ago he was impressed with the idea of the overhead sign with flashing amber lights marked Prepare to Stop prior to signalized intersections. He thought that these signs made it much easier for the driver to prepare for a safe stop in advance of the signal changing to red. At that time this type of signal was not used where he lived.

1) 2016-8528 On September 11th, a break, enter and theft was reported to have occurred on Farrell Drive in Parksville. During the early morning hours culprits gained access into a garage via an unlocked external door. Once inside the garage the thieves entered an unlocked vehicle and stole a small change purse with approximately $30.00 in change.

1) 2016-8377 On September 8th, a theft was reported to have occurred to an attached garage in the 200 block of Hickey Avenue in Parksville. Sometime during the early hours culprits entered an unlocked door leading into the garage and stole a Stanley portable battery.

1) 2016-8165 On September 2nd a theft from vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 200 block of Corfield Street in Parksville. The complainant advised that during the early morning hours culprits entered her unlocked vehicle and rummaged through her centre console and glove box. A small quantity of change and their gate remote control was stolen.

There is nothing like a near miss or collision to focus your mind on road safety. I often hear from people hoping to enlist my help in solving their issue. Requests have ranged from posting lower speed limits to constructing left turn lanes recently. Most people have already tried something on their own and are frustrated with what they see as the authorities not wanting to apply what they see as the solution.