Oceanside Community Safety

1) 2016-5442 On June 20th, a theft was reported to have occurred in the 3600 block of Alberni Highway in Parksville. The complainant advised that a shipment of potato chips valued at approximately $650.00, was stolen from a portable warehouse container. The unit had been recently moved from Nanaimo to Parksville and the complainant discovered that product missing on the morning of June 20th.

1) 2016-5326 On June 17th, a theft from vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 700 block of Nanoose Avenue in Parksville. The complainant advised that during the early morning hours culprits entered her unlocked vehicle and stole a blue duffle bag with white lettering spelling out,’ Set BC’, on it. Also stolen was a back pack and grey IPad.

1) 2016-5231 On June 14th, a theft from vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 3800 block of Charlton Drive in Qualicum Beach. The complainant advised that during the early morning hours culprits entered her unlocked vehicle and stole an IPad, calculator, cologne and some change.

Argh! The driver in front of me is not doing the speed limit! Yes, I’ll admit that I often feel the this way, even when the speed differential is as low as 5 to 10 km/h. I have to tell myself to relax and follow along until there is a safe opportunity to pass by or even be satisfied with reducing my own speed to match and not worrying about it. The trouble is, that only works if you don’t have a schedule to keep and in some circumstances slow driving can be dangerous.

1) 2016-5079 On June 10th, two break, enter and thefts were reported to have occurred in the 400 and 500 blocks of Ridgefield Road in Parksville. The complainant advised that two brand new homes that he was constructing and at the lock up stage, were entered sometime during the early morning hours. The residence in the 500 block had a broken window and culprits pried open the rear door allowing entry. Once inside the thieves stole 21 boxes of Branson coloured Old Mill Shiner wood, valued at $5600.00. The residence in the 400 block also had the rear door pried open however nothing was stolen from inside. The complainant advised that there was approximately $4100.00 damage to both premises.

1) 2016-4885 On June 5th, a theft of vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 2100 block of Halona Way in Coombs. The complainant advised that between June 3rd and 5th, culprits stole a white 1988 Ford F350 flat deck, BC license JC-1380 from the company work yard.

The Be Safe guide forms part of a series of booklets published for inclusion in British Columbia's Safe Communities Kit. The Safe Communities Kit was developed to assist communities and individuals in preventing crime and enhancing safety across British Columbia. The guide covers seven areas of interest: Personal Safety, Family Safety, Home and Possession Safety, Community Safety, Safety Checklist, Emergencies and How to Get Help Fast and Neighbourhood Tree.

I was asked two interesting questions via e-mail this week: “Is it law or simply a rule in BC that pedestrians should walk facing the traffic when there is no sidewalks along the roads? What happens when the highway maintenance company leaves no shoulder to walk on?” As I contemplate my answer, many thing run through my mind. How do we learn to be a safe pedestrian? How many people don’t know the rules for driver / pedestrian interaction? What are the risks in deciding to walk on or beside the highway?

1) 2016-4566 On May 27th, a break, enter and theft was reported to have occurred in the 1900 block of Seahaven Road in Nanoose Bay. The complainant advised that upon arrival to check on his cabin he found the front door ajar with some damage to the door jamb. The premises appeared to have been rummaged through with various items having been moved about. Nothing of any value appeared to be missing.

My dear wife had her tablet open the other evening and commented to me about a minor furor in a local buy and sell group on Facebook. Someone in the group was trying to sell a child safety seat and was being badgered because it was against the law to sell car seats. I wondered what law made it illegal to sell child restraints because I had not heard of one before. Do your research was her response, you’ll be able to write an article about it.