Oceanside Community Safety

I grew up in a small town where there were no sidewalks unless you counted 4 sides from 3 blocks downtown. As children, we didn't pay much attention to the rule that required us to walk on the left facing oncoming traffic but we did make sure that we were on the edge or even off of the pavement when a vehicle drove by. Most neighbourhood streets were our playgrounds and we shared with other road users as the need arose.

1) 2016-2025 On March 10th, a theft from vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 3700 block of Alberni Highway in Whiskey Creek.  The complainant advised that while in a store culprits entered his unlocked truck and stole an undisclosed quantity of cash.

The Oceanside RCMP receive several calls this time of year regarding the Canada Revenue Scam.

Background: Residents receive a notification by phone that they owe back taxes as the result of an audit. The fraudster claims that the payment must be made immediately or the RCMP will attend their home and arrest them. The victim is further told that they must phone a certain telephone number without delay, asked for personal information and then told to wire money.

Walking is one of the best ways to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. More than ever, people are getting out to enjoy a walk through our beautiful communities. It may be time to ask ourselves what we can do as pedestrians to avoid harm while walking.

Imagine leaving your vehicle in the parking lot at the local strip mall, walking over to a business to conduct your shopping and discovering that it is no longer where you had left it when you return about 15 minutes later. My first thought would be that my vehicle had been stolen. This was not the case for a lady from Kelowna though. She had parked in stalls designated by a sign for one business and done her shopping at another.

1) 2016-1806 On March 2nd, a theft from vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 1000 block of Aery View Way in Parksville. The complainant advised that he inadvertently left his vehicle unlocked and in the morning discovered both doors wide open.  A small quantity of change was stolen.

1) 2016-1615 On February 25th, a theft from Canada Post property was reported to have occurred in the 1100 block of Fair Road in Parksville.  The complainant advised that culprits pried open a number of mail slots at a rural post box and stole an undetermined amount of mail.  Several tools and various pieces of mail were found on the ground near the mailboxes.

When we think of distracted driving, most of us immediately consider cell phone use. While this might be the most common example used in distracted driving campaigns, it is certainly not the only one. Any action that takes the drivers attention off of the driving task is distracting and is to be avoided. This month the provincial distracted driving campaign is telling us that the second leading cause of collision fatalities in B.C. is not being properly focused on operating your vehicle.

ICBC and the RCMP will be extra vigilant in their efforts to deter distracted driving this March. As distracted driving has now taken over as the second leading cause of fatalities in our Province, March has been chosen as distracted driving awareness month.

1) 2016-1393 On February 18th, a theft was reported to have occurred at a local business in the 100 block of Island Highway East in Parksville.  The complainant advised that two females entered the store with a small buggy type cart.