ESTEVAN - The Estevan Police Service recently acquired a new utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to help them respond to areas, which would be difficult to access otherwise.
The unit was ordered in the spring and was finally delivered about six weeks ago. Signal Direct outfitted it with lights for dark areas as well as with some specialized emergency lighting, and Dynamic Signs branded the UTV for the service.
After having the first seven members go through the Canadian UTV course through Sawyer Safety Training and outfitting them with everything needed, the EPS is now ready to utilize the new equipment when required.
Sgt. Tyler McMillen with the EPS said that last fall when the city was constructing the 13 kilometres of new pathways, they applied for a provincial grant to cover the expenses of the UTV, which would allow them to help people in case of emergency on the new attraction.
"When money or proceeds are seized by the province, they are given back in grant programs," explained McMillen.
"I use the pathways just like a lot of people do. And there are some remote areas that are tough to get to. So, if there was ever an emergency or for us to patrol and be visible, we needed the tools to help us get to those areas. So, it was an initiative that we applied for and were granted, and we're looking forward to interacting with the public and making sure they feel safe that we're able to get to these areas."
The UTV was already put to work when the EPS was searching for a missing child at the end of October.
"It was the first time it was [used] to search some of those pathways and different areas that you can't get to as easy on foot. And I can think of three or four instances on my shift alone, where we could have used that searching areas that were just [more difficult to search] on foot," McMillen said.
He noted that the current bylaw allows the EPS to use the UTV on all public streets if needed, but its main purpose is to be used on and around pathways and in parks.
"It'll be used on pathways, in parks, could be brought out to the fair, rodeos, ball tournaments, things like that, that we're going to, to be able to cover some grounds and just interact and be there for the public if they need assistance," McMillen added, specifying that UTV is not to be used for patrolling or responding to other calls.
"It's going to be specialized. So [for example] with missing child, there were certain areas of those pathways, and it was indicated that he was headed south. And we have pathways all the way up to Woodlawn. So we covered some distance quickly, and it's visible, so you hope if somebody young like that sees the red and blue lights and the stripes they'll come out. It's marked for doing pathways. We don't want the public to look out and unnecessarily call in. They'll see that it's marked with police [decals] and know the police are out making sure all the pathways and parks are safe."
Members have winter gear, and the EPS expects that they'll be able to use the UTV in winter if needed. McMillen also said that they plan to have the majority of the EPS members go through the UTV safety training eventually so that they would have that tool.
In previous years, if EPS needed a UTV, the Estevan Fire Rescue Service would land theirs. While it was helpful, the fire department's UTV is more geared towards battling fires and wasn't perfect for policing needs.
"They've been gracious to do that in the past, but we just needed something that works for us," McMillen explained.
