CARLYLE - My name is Dallyn Holmstrom, and I am the detachment commander in Moosomin; however, I have been asked to fill in here at Carlyle for the foreseeable future.
I’ve been in policing 16 years, being posted in urban cities, small rural towns, northern First Nation communities, and with the federal drug and organized crime units.
I learned very quickly upon my arrival in Carlyle that Staff Sgt. Darren Simons’ weekly RCMP report for the Observer has been missed. I only have one chance to mess up a first impression so let’s get this new weekly RCMP report started.
It was a busy week in traffic last week with 42 tickets issued in the Carlyle detachment area. The highest ticket of the week award went to a male travelling 147 kilometres per hour on Highway 13 near Carlyle. He received a $764 fine.
There is no excuse for driving 40 or 50 kilometres faster than the speed limit. This driver is lucky they didn’t kill someone or themselves. I don’t think they would want to see what is left of a car when it hits a deer, moose or cow when travelling at speeds that high.
On Nov. 29, a male driving a Ford Focus hit a deer on Highway 13 near Kisbey. No one was injured in this collision. Unfortunately, the deer and the Ford Focus suffered similar fates and both had to be removed from the road.
The following day, the RCMP responded to a complaint of young kids hitting golf balls at houses and businesses in Carlyle. Officers attended and located the young kids. The RCMP spoke with the youths’ parents about the complaint and advised they would be talking with their children. No damage was observed or reported to RCMP. I think the young kids probably received a much harsher punishment from their parents than anything the RCMP could have imposed.
That same day, RCMP received a complaint of an auto body shop being broken into in Redvers. The culprits broke into the business between November 27 and 30 by prying the door open. The felon then emptied the cashbox of $550. This break and enter is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Carlyle RCMP by calling 306-453-6707. Information can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Also, a break and enter was reported at a cabin located on Sixth Street at the White Bear Lake Resort. Entry was gained to the cabin when the door was kicked down. The entire scene was processed. Nothing appeared to be stolen of value during the break and enter but there was damage to the property. The Carlyle RCMP is requesting anyone with information about this incident to call the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
On Dec. 2, RCMP responded to a call of kids playing with the phone by calling 911 and then hanging up. RCMP were forced to attend the call, as we do for all 911 calls. I can appreciate the innocence that children possess and I know that I played with the phone when I was a child as well, but I would like to remind parents to please talk with their children about how serious 911 calls are and that no one should call 911 unless there is an emergency. If the RCMP is attending a 911 call where a child is playing with the phone it might take them away from an actual emergency.
On Dec. 3, RCMP members were dispatched to a residence in the area. The caller advised that occupants of the house had been consuming recreational drugs and alcohol, and that they wanted one person removed who was acting inappropriately. Members located an adult male with his pants down pleasuring himself on the caller’s couch. RCMP placed the male under arrest and once he was clothed, gave him a safe place to stay in the Carlyle RCMP’s famous three-star Bed and Breakfast Resort. The RCMP doesn’t tell you about these calls when you’re hired, but I guess they do say “A Career Nowhere Near Ordinary.”
Also on Dec. 3, RCMP received a call of a suspicious male and suspicious female. The culprits were banging on the caller’s door and they had a bright flashlight with them. Officers really set the bar high responding to this complaint, as they arrived on scene immediately due to the call being about them knocking on the door. The RCMP had recovered the homeowners truck that had been stolen. You never can be too careful when strangers are at your door.
RCMP then received a call of two horses foaling around on the side of Highway 9 near Kenosee Lake. It would have been a night-mare if a horse would have been hit on the Highway.
Carlyle RCMP responded to several mental health calls last week. The mental health calls varied from people with dementia and people suffering from drug and alcohol psychosis, to people suffering from depression. We want to encourage everyone to reach out for help and talk to someone if they can. No matter how bad things may seem, remember that they will always get better. Life can be very difficult to say the least. Please reach out and check in with friends, co-workers and family see how they are doing.
It’s a perfectly normal question to ask people how they are doing. Don’t let people suffer in silence. If you see someone that you believe needs some help but won’t accept help from you, please let the police or their family know. Help is also available 24 hours a day at Canada’s Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566.
Your Carlyle RCMP also responded to nearly a dozen more serious calls such as assaults, disturbances, family protective services calls and sudden deaths. I will never be speaking or writing about these more serious and sensitive investigations in the paper. Everyone goes through hard times and has problems in their respective lives. It will never be my intention to embarrass or hurt anyone’s feelings in this report.
Scam of the week:
The holiday season brings a rise in scams and frauds. There are several scams that pop up every year around the holidays and the majority of them concentrate around the too good to be true concept. These scams are so popular around Christmas due to the increased financial strain most people experience. A scammer offers a reduced interest rate or even zero per cent interest on a credit card or loan. They will also use pressure tactics such as the deal being available for only one day, or for a small number of people. They request personal information from you, such as your social insurance number, mother’s maiden name, date of birth and credit card information.
In most instances, the scammers will also request a one-time fee for the service. The scammers do not have the ability to lower interest rates. They’re stealing your personal information and/or money.
It was so nice to hear all about the fun and excitement surrounding Dickens Village Festival. I’m happy to report that everyone was very well behaved and the entire event took place without a hiccup being reported to the RCMP. The only negative I heard from the weekend was that the new boss at the RCMP didn’t buy enough candy to throw out during the parade. I can say that the RCMP still takes great pride in being asked to lead parades and Dickens was no exception. Such a great way to kick off the holiday season.
Police Joke
An officer observes a person standing in the middle of the road. He approaches them and asks, “Are you okay?”
The person replies, “Yes, but how do I get to the hospital?”
The officer replies, “Just keep standing there.”
