1724 Responses to “Comments And Questions”

Pages: [173] 172 171 170 169 168 167 166 165 164 163 … 1 » Show All

1. 1724
   MJ, Victoria
   March 10th, 2010 at 6:15 pm

   I live in a high-rise strata building in Victoria. All units are owner-occupied (no rentals are allowed). There is one suite that we are concerned about, that of an female owner who moved a boyfriend in with her about a year ago. There have been several incidents with the boyfriend, he won’t tell us his name, he has acted menacingly towards several owners who attempt to talk to the owner. We do know that he drinks to excess and we suspect he may be using illegal drugs. This past week they purchased a second car and he is observed driving it on a regular basis. Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves, or do we just have to wait until an “incident” occurs?

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi MJ, thanks for writing in.

   I am sorry to hear that you and your neighbours are experiencing difficulties with this individual. However, outside of the suspicion of possible drug use there doesn’t appear to be anything criminal taking place here. In regards to his “menacing” behaviour, if his behaviour is threatening or abusive enough then the person who has been subject to this behaviour is welcome to report the matter to the police. There may not be enough to go forward with charges but it may merit a discussion between this individual and the police as a preventive measure as well as a means to document with the police his behaviour and the concerns of the residents. In regards to the second car and his driving, if anyone witnesses him drive or about to drive and it appears as though he is under the influence of alcohol or drugs then the police should be called.

   On the strata side of things, I would suggest, if it hasn’t already been done, to bring the matter up with the council and/or property manager. If this individual is causing disturbances in the building then I believe there would be a system in place where an official warning and potential fines could be imposed. Also have a read of Post #1687. In my answer to that question, I provided a couple of links to strata related associations as well as make mention of a column in the Times Columnist called “Condo Smarts”. Both the links and the column may be a good resource to you on this matter.

   Lastly, both on the strata side and the police side, it is important to document all the negative behaviour of this individual as the incidents occur. This history will support any actions the strata council and/or the police may wish to take.

   Good luck, MJ, and I hope this helps.

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

2. 1723
   Timothy, Saanich
   March 10th, 2010 at 3:57 pm

   In further interest in question 1707, if someone did commit an offence, but was never charged or convicted for it, would that be purged after x period of time or remain indefinately? IE would a record exist on a person 30 years of age where an offence took place when he was 20?

   Yes I am the person in question. I made a bad choice when I was 20, was interviewed by police, but I was not arrested, no charges were ever laid, nor was I given any conditions. I was told to correct my behavior, and beleive me I have.

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Timothy, thanks for writing in.

   There are files that would remain on our system for longer than 10 years. The retention date would depend on the nature of the offence. Not knowing the details of the file you refer to I would not be able to tell you whether it is still on the system or not. To find out you are welcome to attend the Saanich Police station at 760 Vernon Av with two pieces of ID, one of which has to be photo, and fill out a Freedom of Information request. On the request you can ask if this file still exists and if it does when is it scheduled to be purged. There is no fee for this service and the usual turn-around is a week to two weeks.

   Sounds like it might be worth your while to submit the request. Even though you know this file is a thing of the past I would imagine it would be a relief to know that the paper trail is as well.

   “As long as the world is turning and spinning, we’re gonna be dizzy and we’re gonna make mistakes.” ~ Mel Brooks

   Have a great night!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

    

3. 1722
   Tom, SW Saanich
   March 9th, 2010 at 2:07 pm

   Re: Post # 1717

   With all due respect, I don’t believe you answered the question.

   Please don’t get me wrong Cst. Dukeshire, I think you do a bang-up (great) job

   and I can only hope that if I get involved in a police incident, that it is with you.

   I didn’t see the ad, but I am curious, why would SPD place such an ad?

   P.S. I am a Chevy Chase fan and appreciate your “Europian Vacation” reference

   in post #1712 regarding ’round-abouts. Fortunately I am/was not that confused.

   -Tom

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Tom, good to hear from you again! And thanks very much for your kind words, I really appreciate them.  

   And looking back, you are correct, I didn’t answer that question from Mel as well as I could have. So, to do so, I spoke with a representative from the Saanich Municipal Hall who is involved with this ad campaign. She advised that these ads are to aid the municipality in updating our overall strategic plan which is being researched and reformulated as we speak. To better accomplish this goal, these ads are designed to contribute to community discussion and information sharing with the hopes that this will help point the strategic plan in the right direction for everyone. With this in mind it is my understanding that each ad has and will continue to invite input from the public to help update the strategic plan.

   Hope I did a better job in answering the question this time. Thanks Tom and thanks for your patience, Mel. And I’m glad you enjoyed the Chevy Chase reference. Believe me, I only mentioned it because I thought it was a very funny scene and it was somewhat relevant to the topic of our discussions.

   Have a great night!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

4. 1721
   dan view royal
   March 8th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

   I have a 30 foot Motor Home and i need to know the law regarding people that ride in the home portion.Do they have to wear seat belts in the living section when traveling.thank you in advance. dan

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Dan, thanks for writing in.

   Yes, your passengers, even if sitting in the “home portion”, must wear seat belts when the vehicle is being operated on a highway. Section 220(4) of the MVA states, “A person in a motor vehicle being driven or operated on a highway must, if the motor vehicle has properly attached to it a seat belt assembly for the seating position occupied by that person, wear the complete seat belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.” Section 31.01 of the MVAR states that “trailers, mobile homes or recreational vehicles, and the equipment therein, manufactured on or after October 1, 1972, shall conform in all respects to the standards for trailers, mobile homes or recreational vehicles from time to time made by the Canadian Standards Association…” I spoke with a representative from a local RV dealership who advised that it is factory and safety standard that all motorhomes are equipped with seatbelts for seating designed for use when travelling, including “home portions”.

   Informative links:

   MVAR (Sec’s 31.01 - 32.05, Mobile Homes, Seat Belt Assemblies and Excemptions,  and 36.01 - 36.09, Child Seating, Restraints and Excemptions)

   MVA (Sec 220 Seat Belt Assembly and Use of Seat Belts)

   ICBC (Seat Belts)

   Hope that helps, Dan. Happy camping!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

    

5. 1720
   Alex
   March 7th, 2010 at 10:23 pm

   Hi my names alex **removed by site administrator** and I live in courtenay BC. I’am planning to move down soon to vic less then a year. i was just wondering how i could apply to be an officer.? and how long is training for. And even though I dont have my Full lisence yet but Iam 19 should I still alpply.

   thank you very much

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Alex, thanks for writing in. I have provided you with a link to our website. Once there, click on “Recruiting” and “New Recruits”. These pages will explain to you in detail the requirements and steps needed to apply. They also provide the phone number and email address to Sgt. Dean Duthie in Staff Development. Dean will be able to tell you better than I when would be the best time for you to apply. Once hired, training at the Justice Institute lasts for approximately 9 months, followed by a one year probationary class of constable.

   Good luck in your endeavours, Alex. Hope to see you soon!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

6. 1719
   Cheryl, Saanich
   March 7th, 2010 at 5:39 pm

   I would like some feedback about the use of photos on our publicly accessible church website:
   1) There are some photos of children currently in our Sunday School on the website (no names). My understanding is that from a safety perspective, there should not be any face shots of current children. What is your recommendation about the safe limits re: posting photos?
   2) There are photos of adults from the church on the website. Are there any potential risks of having photos (without names) posted?
   3) At times there is also information posted on the website that include the name, phone number and/or e-mail address of church members - this information is not posted with a photo. Are there any risks related to this?

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Cheryl and thank you for your conscientiousness on the matter.

   I put your questions to one of our members in the Family Protection Unit who advised that as long as the parents have given consent for the child’s picture to be on the website then there is no undue risk. Most online offences against children are committed by someone who is already known to the child and family. In answer to your two other questions, more of the same applies. Before posting anyone’s photo or contact information touch base with the individual to ensure it is ok with him or her. Some people may be less comfortable with that kind of publicity than others.

   Any kind of public posting, whether it be a photo or contact info, comes with some degree of risk and it’s also good to remember that once this information is “out there” it is “out there” for good. Parents and individual adults should always keep this in mind.

   Hope that is of some help, Cheryl. Hope you enjoy your day.

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

7. 1718
   Rhonda, Peaks Island, ME USA
   March 6th, 2010 at 4:48 pm

   My husband, Tom Bohan, lost his black jacket with his black iPhone in the pocket either on Estevan Ave near the Pharmacy or in the coffee shop or downtown at Starbucks on Goverment St. The Saanich Police very kindly opened a file on these missing items. My questions are two: 1) Is it possible to trace the phone even though the service has been canceled through At&T and, if it was found, how might a good samaritan return it to us if he or she doesn’t contact the police? Is there any place else we might call or write or contact in some way? Thank you.
   Rhonda

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Rhonda, sorry to hear that. My first thought is that you should, if you haven’t already, contact AT&T to determine if there is GPS on the phone and if it is activated. Their security section should be able to assist you with that. They should also be able to tell you if there has been any activity on the phone since it was lost, and if there has been then you could provide that information to the police department where the activity has taken place. That department could then follow-up in an attempt to determine who was using the phone. To answer your second question, the only way a good samaritan would be able to return the phone to you without contacting the police would be to access your information, if there is any, on the phone itself or to contact AT&T directly.

   You could contact any of the above locations where the phone and jacket were possibly lost to have ads posted and lastly feel free to contact Margaret in our Property Control office at 250 475 4331 or MGREENWAY@Saanichplice.ca to touch base on whether either item has turned up at our department and for whatever reason hasn’t been associated to your file.

   Hope this helps and I hope a good samaritan comes through!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire 

8. 1717
   Mel, Westshore
   March 6th, 2010 at 4:03 pm

   Recently, Saanich Police put an ad in the Times Colonist
   about their jurisdiction being SAFE. Why was this done?
   There are various crimes and accidents in Saanich as
   well as Victoria and other places on the South Island.
   This ad was placed after the classifieds last month!

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Mel,

   Yes, crimes and accidents occur in Saanich, just as they do throughout the province. However, Saanich does enjoy a favourable average in regards to crime rates in the province. Based on the 2008 crime rate comparison conducted by the Police Services Division of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Saanich sits at a crime rate of “52″ compared to the provincial average of “76″. These rates are defined by the number of Criminal Code offences (excluding traffic offences) per 1,000 population. I have provided a link to the Police Services site where you can click on “Reports and Services” and then “Police Resources in British Columbia, 2008″ to view crime stats across the province. The Municipality will be running a number of these ads over the next several months advertising the various components and departments of Saanich.

   Thanks for writing in Mel. Have a great day!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

9. 1716
   Mark, Victoria
   March 5th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

   Hello, I am a year 2 Criminal Justice Diploma student trying to further my education. I was told today in class you have 3 student opportunities for the upcoming summer season. I was just hoping to get a link to that or maybe you could tell me a little bit about it. Thanks, Mark

   Saanich Police Response:

   Hi Mark,

   Follow the link to our website where under “Crime Prevention” you will find two links, one to the job posting your are referring to and one to the application. In addition, feel free to contact Ian Gibbs in Crime Prevention at 250 475 4314 who can answer any further questions you may have.

   Good luck in your studies, Mark, and hope to see you this summer!

   Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

10. 1715
    lc, Saanich
    March 4th, 2010 at 7:00 pm

    I recently heard of an incident where an inebriated man stole a flourescent tube from the common area of an apartment and proceeded to his apartment on the third floor. His sober roommate was at home. After some comments, the drunk threw the tube off the balcony with the aim of trying to hit a vehicle that was passing on the street below. There appear to be no witnesses as this happened late in the evening/night.

    Can anything be done? Would a police officer speak to one or both of the young men?

    I have not yet reported this incident as I am unsure of whether this actually happened. It was told to me by the sober party who thought it was a joke and the drunk party cannot remember but thinks it likely he would do something like this.

    Saanich Police Response:

    Good morning lc,

    Yes, that is something we would talk to the “inebriated man” about. Taking the flourescent tube is theft and and throwing it off a balcony is mischief and a fairly dangerous mischief at that if he is throwing it at passing cars. However, in regards to the theft portion we would prefer the report to come from the owner or a representative of the owner of the light, ie strata member or building manager, to confirm that the light was in fact taken and from where. Without witnesses and a “victim” (owner of light) it most likely would be difficult to proceed with charges but we would caution the male for his actions and the incident would be documented with us. And if, by chance, the driver of the vehicle made a report at the time of the incident we would be able to link the files and follow up appropriately. 

    Thanks for writing in and enjoy the weekend!

    Response by Cst. Kris Dukeshire

     

     

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