Oceanside Community Safety Volunteers

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.

Sorry, there is no Crime Watch Report for the period of August 20 to 28, 2016.

1) 2016-8016 On August 29th, a theft from vehicle was reported to have occurred in the 300 block of Temple Street in Parksville. The complainant advised that between August 27th and 29th, culprits syphoned a quantity of gas from her vehicle. To date there are no suspects.

Cowichan Community Policing in partnership with Liahona Security is offering a Level One Basic CPTED course from October 3 to 6, 2016. The course will take place at the Maple Bay Fire Hall, 1230 Maple Bay Road in Duncan, B.C. from 8:30 to 4:30 each day. Cost for the course is $500 + GST. The course is aimed at Police Members, Design Professionals, Crime Prevention Officers & Staff, By-Law Enforcement, Facility Management, Security Professionals, BIA’s & Civic Leaders.

OCSV's Mike Garland speaks with The Beach FM's Dave Graham discussing upcoming events.

According to the Association of School Transportation Services of British Columbia, travel by school bus is statistically the safest method of ground transportation in Canada and by a substantial margin. I’m sure that we all expect and demand nothing less when our children and grandchildren are riding those buses to and from schools and school related events. Surely all drivers should understand this and not hesitate to stop when the red lights on a stopped bus are flashing.

1) 2016-7526 On August 16th, a theft from vehicles was reported to have occurred in the 1100 block of Resort Drive in Parksville. The complainant advised that eight unlocked vehicles were entered at one of the resorts. Loose change and some compact discs were stolen from several of the vehicles.